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Academic appointments
1974 Assistant Research Worker, University of Jyväskylä
1975-1976 Assistant of Early Education, University of Joensuu
1976-1977 Research Worker, University of Joensuu / National Board of Social Welfare
1977-1984 Assistant / Associate Professor of Early Education, University of Joensuu
1984-1986 Assistant / Associate Professor of Special Education, University of Joensuu
1986-1987 Associate Professor of Early Education, University of Joensuu
1987-1990 Senior Researcher, University of Joensuu
1988 Adjunct Professor of Early Education, University of Joensuu
1990-1991 Fulbright scholar / Visiting Research Assistant Professor of Psychology, University of Virginia
1991-1992 Associate Professor of Educational Psychology, University of Joensuu
1992-1995 Senior Researcher, University of Joensuu
1992-1995 Head of ”Professional Development” program, University of Joensuu
1993-1996 Associate Professor of Early Childhood Education, University of Oulu
1994-1997 Head of ”Early Education PD –program”, University of Oulu
1996 Visiting Scholar of Early Childhood Studies, University of Melbourne
1996-2004 Professor of Early Education, University of Oulu
2000 Visiting Scholar at Children’s Issues Centre, University of Dunedin, New Zealand
2000-2001 Senior Researcher, Academy of Finland
2005- Professor of Education, special in early childhood, University of Tampere
2007-2010 Dean, Faculty of Education, University of Tampere
2010-2011 Senior Researcher, Academy of Finland
2011-2012 Professorial Fellow, Research Collegium, University of Tampere
Non-academic experiences
1969 Nurse in Playgroup, Mäntyharju
1970 Educator in Reform School, Mikkeli
1974 Nurse in Psychiatric Hospital for Children; Helsinki
1974 Psychologist in Day Care Center, Jyväskylä
1974 Psychologist in Child Health Center, Jyväskylä
1975 Nurse/Therapist in Psychiatric Hospital for Adults, Jyväskylä
1978-1980 Head of In-Service Training for Preschool Teachers, Joensuu
1982-1989 Teaching at Open University, Joensuu
1990 Chairman of Early Childhood Education 90 Ltd, Rovaniemi
1993-1995 Teaching at Pre-primary Teacher Training College, Oulu
1994-1996 Teaching at in-service training institute at the University of Oulu
2011-2012 Expert Member of ECD-program planning committee in Mozambique, Finnish Consulting Group
Consulting activities
Head of the project ”Co-operation in Day Care”, Joensuu
University of Joensuu / National Board of Social Welfare, 1978-1979
Scientific leader of the project ”Open Day Care Center Activities” in Nurmes
National Board of Social Welfare, 1980 1982, 1983 1985
Member of the National Council for Teacher Education ”Developing MA-degree in Early Education”, Ministry of Education, 1982 1986.
Scientific consult of the project ”Parent Education as a Part of Early Education Programs”, The National Board of Social Welfare, 1982 1984
Scientific consult of the project ”Developing Rural Areas for Children”, The Ministry of Agriculture 1989 1990
Scientific consult of the project ”Developing Quality Day Care for Children”, The National Board of Social Welfare, 1987 1990
Scientific consult in the national committee of ”Curriculum for Music in Early Education”, Ministry of Education, 1985 1987
Scientific leader of project ”TV Education in Schools”, National Board of Education, 1988 1989
Scientific leader of the project ”Developmentally Appropriate Practice in Day Care”, Paimio Early Childhood Education 90 Ltd, 1989-1990
Scientific consult in Commission for Developing Social Welfare Services. Association for Social Welfare in Finland, 1991 1993
Member in co operation program of early childhood education research in Nordic Countries Kindergarten teacher union, 1993
Head of the program for Professional Development for teachers University of Joensuu, Faculty of Education 1992
Head of the In-service training project ”Quality Day Care” Early Education Ltd, 1993-1994
Head of the research project ”Developing Appropriate practises in Day Care”, Iisalmi Early Childhood Education 90 Ltd, 1994-1995
Consult for Developing Professionalism in Early Education Kindergarten Union, 1994-
Co-ordinator of the national conference ”Home and school as growth settings”, Polvijärvi, Association of Home Education in Finland, 1993
Co-ordinator of the Professional Development of Early Childhood Education, University of Oulu, Faculty of Education 1994-
Head of the National Conference of Professional Development, University of Joensuu, 1994
Co-ordinator of National Doctor Program for ”Childhood, Early Education and Development”, Finnish Academy of Science / University of Oulu in co-operation with University of Joensuu and University of Jyväskylä, 1994-1997.
Chair of International Conference ”Childhood Education – International Perspectives” Oulu, Finland, . University of Oulu / Finland Association for Childhood Education International, 1995
Head of the project ”Quality of childhood and parent involvement in developing services for children” STAKES, City of Raahe and Early Education 90 Ltd, 1995-1996
Head of inservice training program ”Early Learning” for preprimary teachers in Tornio. In-service training center in Kajaani, 1995-1996
Head of International Leadership Project University of Oulu, University of Plymouth, University of Melbourne, University of Virginia, State Pedagogical University in Petrozavotzk, University of Lapland, University of Tampere, 1996-2001
Head of National Accreditation of day care programs -Project University of Oulu, 1997-2000
Consultant in Finnish Parliament in developing preschool law and administration, 1998
Representative of FACEI in Zurich for providing guidelines for early childhood education, 1999
Member of the committee of evaluating and developing early education programs in Finland, Ministry of Social Welfare, 1997-1999
Member of Advisary committee for developing early childhood education in pre- and primary schools. National school board, 1999-2001
Children’s play –committee member, Ministry of Education, 1999-2001
Member of Advisary committee for developing academic social welfare centre, Ministry of Social Affairs and Health, 1999- 2001
Member of the executive board of academic social welfare project in North Finland, 2001-2005
Member of Advisory board for developing after school programs for children, MML 2003-2005
Member of the research board of Welfare Centre, 2003-2005
Member of Management board of Welfare centre, Ministry of Social Affairs and Health, 2004-2005
Co-ordinator of “Guidelines and Curriculum in Early Childhood Education” –project, 2005
Early Childhood Education 90 Ltd
Head of International Parent Participation- project, 2004-2008
Consulting expert in Early Childhood-network –project, Hämeenlinna-Riihimäki region, 2006-2008
Head of Leadership and quality in ECE, University of Tampere, 2006-2008
Head of Child observation and assessment project, University of Tampere, 2007-2008
Member of Quality assessment board of Christian education, Tampere church 2007-2009
Head of Leadership and welfare in ECE –project, University of Tampere, 2008-2010
Head of “Verkostoista voimaa” –project, University of Tampere, 2010-2012
Chair of National Evaluation of Preschool programs in Finland, 2010-2012
Chair of “Osaamisella työhyvinvointia varhaiskasvatuksessa” University of Tampere 2012-2014