Our researchers
Do you want to become a visiting research fellow?
International researchers within the field of religious and cultural studies, who are interested in visiting the institute for a shorter or longer time e.g. as part of a sabbatical, are welcome to approach the institute with a freely formulated application. The Donner institute can offer visiting research fellows a tranquil and inspiring research environment. Furthermore, the extensive library collections are at the disposal of the visiting research fellows during their times as visitors at the institute. The institute can unfortunately not provide visitors with housing during their stay and no grants for covering travel and living expenses are available.
The Institute’s researchers
Sofia Sjö
ThD, Associate professor of the study of religions
E-mail sofia.sjo@abo.fiReligion and film has been the main focus area of my research, but I am interested in religion, media and culture research broadly. During the last couple of years my research has also focused on young adults and religion and areas such as socialization, gender, digital media and volunteer work.
Nina Kokkinen
PhD, research doctor
E-mail nina.kokkinen@stiftelsenabo.fiThe focus of my research is on the connections between art and religion from late 19th century onwards. In my dissertation (2019, University of Turku), I examined the importance of esoteric spirituality in Finnish art at the turn of the 20th century, and re-conceptualized the notions of ‘occulture’ and ‘seekership’ – theoretical concepts building a bridge from late 19th century esotericism to present-day spirituality. In my postdoctoral research, I further delve into the discourses related to esotericism, heterodox and especially ‘Eastern’ spirituality in modern and subsequent Nordic art. As a researcher I move across the disciplines of study of religion, art history, and cultural history. I have also curated art exhibitions related to my area of expertise, and I'm interested in creative writing and developing my skills as non-fiction writer and editor.
Anna-Stina Hägglund
PhD, Research Communications Planner
E-mail anna-stina.hagglund@abo.fiI am a historian with a focus on religiosity and culture of remembrance in late medieval society (the period 1300–1500). The geographical focus of my research lies in the Baltic Sea region, with particular emphasis on the Nordic countries and the historic duchy of Pomerania. My research primarily revolves around lived religion, the cult of saints, and pious donations. In my ongoing project, I study testamentary donations in order to investigate the spiritual networks in medieval Sweden, as well as how testators prepared for death by creating personal bonds with religious institutions through gifts.