About me
I'm a science and technology studies (STS) and gender studies scholar. I'm the PI of the project Gendered Chronic Disease, Embodied Differences and Biomedical Knowledge (GenDis), funded by the Academy of Finland and Kone Foundation. My Academy Research Fellow's project (2018-2023) explored cultural debates about vaccines and changing ideas of immunity and risk.
Research topics
chronic pain, gendered chronic illness, endometriosis
vaccine debates, vaccines in culture
population genetics, ancient DNA, genetic ancestry tests
evolutionary theories in culture and society
bodies, materiality, affect, narrative
Research fields
Science and Technology Studies
Gender Studies
Cultural Studies
Research career
Associate Professor, TaSTI, Tampere University (2022-)
Academy Research Fellow, Tampere University (2018-2023)
Core Fellow, Helsinki Collegium for Advanced Studies (2016-2018)
Docent in Gender Studies, University of Helsinki (since 2015)
Academy of Finland Postdoctoral Researcher (2012-2016)
University Lecturer, Gender Studies, University of Helsinki (2011-2012)
Kone Foundation Postdoctoral Researcher (2011)
PhD, Gender Studies, University of Helsinki (2010)
Selected publications
Latest publications
Anticipating immunity: Vaccine-induced immunity and vaccine safety in the Finnish news coverage of COVID-19 vaccines
Oikkonen, V., 15 Mar 2024, In: Medicine Anthropology Theory. 11, 1, p. 1-30Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › Scientific › peer-review
Past pathogens and precarious futures
Oikkonen, V., 2 Jul 2024, Critical Perspectives on Ancient DNA. Strand, D., Källén, A. & Mulcare, C. (eds.). MIT PRESS, 24 p.Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceeding › Chapter › Scientific › peer-review
Sensing pain: Embodied knowledge in endometriosis
Helosvuori, E. & Oikkonen, V., 4 Dec 2023, (E-pub ahead of print) In: Health. 16 p.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › Scientific › peer-review
Conceptualizing histories of multispecies entanglements: Ancient pathogen genomics and the case of Borrelia recurrentis
Oikkonen, V., 2021, In: JOURNAL OF SOCIAL ARCHAEOLOGY. 21, 2Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › Scientific › peer-review
Gender, Ethology, and Evolution
Oikkonen, V., Jan 2021, The International Encyclopedia of Anthropology. Callan, H. (ed.). Wiley; BlackwellResearch output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceeding › Entry for encyclopedia/dictionary › Scientific
Introduction: Queering Health and Biomedicine
Dolezal, L., Folkmarson Käll, L., McCormack, D., Oikkonen, V. & Shildrick, M., Nov 2021, In: LAMBDA NORDICA: TIDSKRIFT OM HOMOSEXUALITET. 26, 2-3, p. 7-18Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › Scientific
Introduction: Self-Tracking, Embodied Differences, and Intersectionality
Dolezal, L. & Oikkonen, V., Apr 2021, In: Catalyst: Feminism, Theory, Technoscience. 7, 1, p. 1-15Research output: Contribution to journal › Editorial › Scientific
Post-Pandemic Futures and the Affective Appeal of Immunity
Oikkonen, V., Nov 2021, In: LAMBDA NORDICA: TIDSKRIFT OM HOMOSEXUALITET. 26, 2-3, p. 21-46Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › Scientific › peer-review
Rokotteiden vastustuksesta ja rokotusohjelmien haasteista globaalisti
Oikkonen, V., 2021, In: Sosiologia. 58, 3, p. 293-294 2 p.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › Scientific
Special issue "Queering Health and Biomedicine"
Dolezal, L. (Guest editor), Folkmarson Käll, L. (Guest editor), McCormack, D. (Guest editor), Oikkonen, V. (Guest editor) & Shildrick, M. (Guest editor), Nov 2021, In: LAMBDA NORDICA: TIDSKRIFT OM HOMOSEXUALITET. 26, 2-3Research output: Contribution to journal › Special issue › Scientific › peer-review