People

Principal Investigator

Atte Oksanen

Professor
Social Psychology, Vice Dean for Research
Faculty of Social Sciences
Tampere University
+358503187279
atte.oksanen@tuni.fi

https://orcid.org/0000-0003-4143-5580

About me

Atte Oksanen is Professor of Social Psychology and Vice Dean for Research at the Faculty of Social Sciences of Tampere University, Finland. Oksanen's research focuses on digital technologies, social interaction, crime and addiction. He is the director of Emerging Technologies Lab which conducts social scientific and social psychological research on human behavior in technological environments. Oksanen has successfully led several major research projects funded by the Academy of Finland, Kone Foundation, Finnish Cultural Foundation, Aaltonen Foundation, Finnish Foundation for Alcohol Studies, Finnish Work Environment Fund, Wihuri Foundation, and Helsingin Sanomat Foundation. His international research projects have been funded by the Scandinavian Research Council for Criminology, the Research council of Norway and the National Science Foundation (U.S.). He has published extensively on social media, online communities and cyberhate during the last years and has over 350 publications to his name, with over 200 peer-reviewed international journal articles, including flagship journals (e.g. Criminology, Addiction, Pediatrics, International Journal of Information Management, Social Science & Medicine, Computers in Human Behavior, New Media & Society, and Higher Education). Publications include a seminal monograph on cyberhate and cybervictimization (Online Hate and Harmful Content: Cross-National Perspectives, Routledge, 2017).

Responsibilities

Vice Dean for Research (>400 people at the faculty of social sciences; responsibilities at the university administration)

Director of Emerging Technologies Lab (>30 people at the lab; leadership and supervision in research)

Full professor (research and research management, MA and PhD level teaching in social psychology at the degree program for social sciences)

Board member of Research Council for Culture and Society, Academy of Finland (2022–2024, annual budget ca. 60M€)

Board member of Finnish Research Infrastructures Committee, Academy of Finland (2022–2025, annual budget ca. 30M€)

Research topics

Teknologiat

Tekoäly

Internet

Sosiaalinen media

Addiktiot

Rikollisuus

Viha ja häirintä

Työelämä

Research unit

Faculty of social sciences

Research fields

Social psychology, psychology, criminology, sociology, social sciences, health sciences, cultural studies

Research career

Current position

2024– Vice Dean for Research at the Faculty of Social Sciences, Tampere University, Finland

2018– Professor of Social Psychology (full), Tampere University, Finland

2014–2018 Professor of Social Psychology (tenure-track), University of Tampere Finland

2013–2016 PI, Hate Communities: A Cross-National Comparison Project (Kone Foundation), University of Turku, Finland

2013–2014 Senior researcher, National Research Institute of Legal Policy, Ministry of Justice, Finland

2012–2013 Senior researcher, Finnish Youth Research Network, Helsinki

2009–2012 PI, Everyday Life and Insecurity (Aaltonen Foundation), University of Turku, Finland

2009–2011 PI, post-doctoral researcher’s project Images of Addiction in Rock Culture, University of Tampere, Finland

2007–2008 Post-doctoral research fellow, University of Tampere, Finland

2002–2006 Research fellow, University of Tampere, Finland

Education and degrees awarded

2011 Title of docent, sociology, University of Helsinki, Finland

2011 Title of docent, sociology, University of Turku, Finland

2008 Title of docent, social psychology, University of Tampere, Finland

2006 Doctor of Social Sciences, social psychology, University of Tampere, Finland

2004 Licentiate of Social Sciences, social psychology, University of Tampere, Finland

2004 Master of Arts, Finnish literature, University of Tampere, Finland

2001 Master of Social Sciences, social psychology, University of Tampere, Finland

Project links

Funding

Academy of Finland, Finnish Cultural Foundation, Aaltonen Foundation, Kone Foundation, Finnish Foundation for Alcohol Studies, The Finnish Work Environment Fund, Helsingin Sanomat Foundation, Wihuri Foundation, Scandinavian Research Council for Crimin.

Main positions of trust

2022–2025 Board member, Finnish Research Infrastructures Committee, Academy of Finland

2022–2024 Board member, Research Council for Culture and Society, Academy of Finland

2021–2022 Member assessment group for gambling harms and risks, Ministry of Social Affairs and Health

2020– A-Clinic Foundation, member of board

2019–2020 Member assessment group for gambling harms and risks, Ministry of Social Affairs and Health

Currently editorial board member of Scientific Reports (Nature) and Human Behavior and Emerging Technologies.

Selected publications

1. Oksanen, A., Celuch, M., Latikka, R., Oksa, R., & Savela, N. (2022). Hate and harassment in academia: The rising concern of the online environment. Higher Education, 84, 541–567.

2. Oksanen, A., Oksa, R., Savela, N. Mantere, E., Savolainen, I., & Kaakinen, M. (2021). COVID-19 Crisis and Digital Stressors at Work: A Nationwide Longitudinal Study. Computers in Human Behavior https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chb.2021.106853.

3. Savela, N., Oksanen, A., Pellert, M, & Garcia, D. (2021). Emotional reactions to robot colleagues in a role-playing experiment. International Journal of Information Management, 60, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijinfomgt.2021.102361.

4. Oksanen, A., Kaakinen, M., Minkkinen, J., Räsänen, P., Enjolras, B., & Steen-Johnsen, K. (2020). Perceived societal fear and cyberhate after the November 2015 Paris Terrorist Attacks. Terrorism & Political Violence, 32(5), 1047–1066. https://doi.org/10.1080/09546553.2018.1442329.

5. Keipi, T., Näsi, M., Oksanen, A., & Räsänen, P. (2017). Online Hate and Harmful Content: Cross-National Perspectives. Abingdon & New York: Routledge.

6. Aaltonen, M., Oksanen, A., & Kivivuori, J. (2016). Debt Problems and Crime. Criminology, 54(2), 307–33. https://doi.org/10.1111/1745-9125.12103.

7. Oksanen, A., Aaltonen, M., & Kivivuori, J. (2015). Driving under the Influence as a Turning Point? A Register-based Study on Financial and Social Consequences among First-time Male Offenders. Addiction, 110(3), 471–478. https://doi.org/10.1111/add.12777.

8. Oksanen, A., Garcia, D., Sirola, A., Näsi, M., Kaakinen, M., Keipi, T., & Räsänen, P. (2015). Pro-Anorexia and anti-pro-anorexia videos on YouTube: Sentiment analysis of user responses. Journal of Medical Internet Research, 17(11):e256. https://doi.org/10.2196/jmir.5007.

9. Oksanen, A. Hawdon, J., & Räsänen, P. (2014). Glamorizing Rampage Online: School Shooting Fan Communities on YouTube. Technology in Society, 39, 55–67. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.techsoc.2014.08.001.

10. Oksanen, A. (2013). Deleuze and the Theory of Addiction. Journal of Psychoactive Drugs, 45(1), 57–67. https://doi.org/10.1080/02791072.2013.763563.

Own links

Latest publications

Affective, cognitive, and contextual cues in Reddit posts on artificial intelligence

Savela, N., Pellert, M., Latikka, R., Bergdahl, J., Garcia, D. & Oksanen, A., helmik. 2025, julkaisussa: Journal of Computational Social Science. 8, 6, 27 Sivumäärä

Tutkimustuotos: Artikkeli › Tieteellinen › vertaisarvioitu

A four-wave longitudinal study on attitudes toward the use of AI in different domains—The self-determination theory and locus of control perspective

Cvetkovic, A., Savolainen, I., Koike, M. & Oksanen, A., kesäk. 2025, julkaisussa: Telematics and Informatics Reports. 18, 100220.

Tutkimustuotos: Artikkeli › Tieteellinen › vertaisarvioitu

A longitudinal study on the effects of materialism and mental health on gambling problems in Finland

Vuorinen, I., Hagfors, H., Savolainen, I. & Oksanen, A., 2025, julkaisussa: INTERNATIONAL GAMBLING STUDIES. 25, 2, s. 257-268

Tutkimustuotos: Artikkeli › Tieteellinen › vertaisarvioitu

Does being close to someone with gambling problems predict harm? An eight-wave longitudinal study

Hautamäki, S., Savolainen, I., Kauppila, E., Vuorinen, I., Hagfors, H. & Oksanen, A., marrask. 2025, julkaisussa: ADDICTIVE BEHAVIORS. 170, 108416.

Tutkimustuotos: Artikkeli › Tieteellinen › vertaisarvioitu

Does cybercrime indicate serious offending behavior? A cross-national comparative analysis of cybercrime severity

Vepsäläinen, J., Kaakinen, M., Oksanen, A., Savolainen, I., Markina, A., Langeland, C. L., Meško, G., Kokoravec Povh, I. & Valdimarsdóttir, M., 29 toukok. 2025, AMCIS 2025 Proceedings. Americas Conference on Information Systems (AMCIS), 1717. (AMCIS 2025 Proceedings; Vuosikerta 37).

Tutkimustuotos: Konferenssiartikkeli › Tieteellinen › vertaisarvioitu

Individual and well-being factors associated with social chatbot usage: A six-country study

Latikka, R., Bergdahl, J., Savolainen, I., Celuch, M. & Oksanen, A., 29 lokak. 2025, (E-pub ahead of print) julkaisussa: JOURNAL OF SOCIAL AND PERSONAL RELATIONSHIPS. 02654075251392956.

Tutkimustuotos: Artikkeli › Tieteellinen › vertaisarvioitu

Just a few more minutes: Longitudinal and cross-national perspectives on the role of online identity bubbles in addictive internet use

Savolainen, I., Brailovskaia, J., Sirola, A., Celuch, M. & Oksanen, A., huhtik. 2025, julkaisussa: Computers in Human Behavior. 165, 108555.

Tutkimustuotos: Artikkeli › Tieteellinen › vertaisarvioitu

Lonely gamble: A longitudinal study of loneliness, gambling to escape and problem gambling

Hagfors, H., Kaakinen, M., Savolainen, I., Vepsäläinen, J. & Oksanen, A., 2025, (E-pub ahead of print) julkaisussa: Journal of Behavioral Addictions.

Tutkimustuotos: Artikkeli › Tieteellinen › vertaisarvioitu

Older adults and information and communication technologies: a qualitative interview study on basic psychological needs

Latikka, R., Valkama, O., Rantala, A., Jolanki, O. & Oksanen, A., 2025, (E-pub ahead of print) julkaisussa: International Journal of Ageing And Later Life. 21 Sivumäärä

Tutkimustuotos: Artikkeli › Tieteellinen › vertaisarvioitu

Opiskelun yhteisöllisyys, vaatimukset ja voimavarat korkeakouluopiskelijoiden kokemina

Toivonen, T., Mäkiniemi, J.-P., Oksanen, A. & Mäkikangas, A., 2025, julkaisussa: Psykologia. 60, 3, s. 179-204

Tutkimustuotos: Artikkeli › Tieteellinen › vertaisarvioitu

Researchers

Iina Savolainen

Senior Research Fellow
Faculty of Social Sciences
Tampere University
+358504377111
iina.savolainen@tuni.fi

https://orcid.org/0000-0002-8811-965X

More information

About me

Iina Savolainen is a Senior Research Fellow at Tampere University and the Vice Director of the Emerging Technologies Lab research center, conducting social scientific and social psychological research on human behavior in technological environments. Her research adopts a social psychological perspective to explore the intersection of technology and human behavior, with a focus on the role of technology and the evolving landscape of the online world in addictive behaviors. She also holds a Title of Docent in Economic Sociology, especially in Digital Environments and Addiction Studies (University of Turku 2025).

In addition to research work, she teaches master's level quantitative methods courses.

Research topics

Addiction, social media, technology, internet, work life research

Research fields

Social psychology, addiction, work life

Project links

Emerging Technologies Lab

Top achievements

Education

2020 Doctor of Social Sciences in Social Psychology Tampere University, Finland

2016 Master of Science in Psychological Science, Tulane University, United States

2015 Bachelor of Science in Psychology, Tulane University, United States

Funding

Latest publications

A four-wave longitudinal study on attitudes toward the use of AI in different domains—The self-determination theory and locus of control perspective

Cvetkovic, A., Savolainen, I., Koike, M. & Oksanen, A., kesäk. 2025, julkaisussa: Telematics and Informatics Reports. 18, 100220.

Tutkimustuotos: Artikkeli › Tieteellinen › vertaisarvioitu

A longitudinal study on the effects of materialism and mental health on gambling problems in Finland

Vuorinen, I., Hagfors, H., Savolainen, I. & Oksanen, A., 2025, julkaisussa: INTERNATIONAL GAMBLING STUDIES. 25, 2, s. 257-268

Tutkimustuotos: Artikkeli › Tieteellinen › vertaisarvioitu

Does being close to someone with gambling problems predict harm? An eight-wave longitudinal study

Hautamäki, S., Savolainen, I., Kauppila, E., Vuorinen, I., Hagfors, H. & Oksanen, A., marrask. 2025, julkaisussa: ADDICTIVE BEHAVIORS. 170, 108416.

Tutkimustuotos: Artikkeli › Tieteellinen › vertaisarvioitu

Does cybercrime indicate serious offending behavior? A cross-national comparative analysis of cybercrime severity

Tutkimustuotos: Konferenssiartikkeli › Tieteellinen › vertaisarvioitu

Individual and well-being factors associated with social chatbot usage: A six-country study

Latikka, R., Bergdahl, J., Savolainen, I., Celuch, M. & Oksanen, A., 29 lokak. 2025, (E-pub ahead of print) julkaisussa: JOURNAL OF SOCIAL AND PERSONAL RELATIONSHIPS. 02654075251392956.

Tutkimustuotos: Artikkeli › Tieteellinen › vertaisarvioitu

Just a few more minutes: Longitudinal and cross-national perspectives on the role of online identity bubbles in addictive internet use

Savolainen, I., Brailovskaia, J., Sirola, A., Celuch, M. & Oksanen, A., huhtik. 2025, julkaisussa: Computers in Human Behavior. 165, 108555.

Tutkimustuotos: Artikkeli › Tieteellinen › vertaisarvioitu

Lonely gamble: A longitudinal study of loneliness, gambling to escape and problem gambling

Hagfors, H., Kaakinen, M., Savolainen, I., Vepsäläinen, J. & Oksanen, A., 2025, (E-pub ahead of print) julkaisussa: Journal of Behavioral Addictions.

Tutkimustuotos: Artikkeli › Tieteellinen › vertaisarvioitu

Pay to Play or Pay to Lose? The Impact of In-game Spending in Digital Games on Gambling Problems

Vuorinen, I., Savolainen, I. & Oksanen, A., 4 marrask. 2025, (E-pub ahead of print) julkaisussa: JOURNAL OF GAMBLING STUDIES.

Tutkimustuotos: Artikkeli › Tieteellinen › vertaisarvioitu

Psychosocial factors behind addiction—a six-wave longitudinal comparison of at-risk gambling and drinking

Hautamäki, S., Savolainen, I., Kauppila, E., Sirola, A. & Oksanen, A., tammik. 2025, julkaisussa: Alcohol and Alcoholism. 60, 1, agae089.

Tutkimustuotos: Artikkeli › Tieteellinen › vertaisarvioitu

Technological identity and basic psychological needs in the use of new technologies: A two-wave cross-national survey study

Heiskari, M., Celuch, M., Koivula, A., Savolainen, I. & Oksanen, A., lokak. 2025, julkaisussa: International Journal of Information Management. 84, 102926.

Tutkimustuotos: Artikkeli › Tieteellinen › vertaisarvioitu

Moona Heiskari

Researcher
Faculty of Social Sciences
Tampere University
+358504717890
moona.heiskari@tuni.fi

https://orcid.org/0000-0003-0088-5569

Anu Sirola

University Instructor
Faculty of Social Sciences
Tampere University
+358503283151
anu.sirola@tuni.fi

https://orcid.org/0000-0003-2195-8114

More information

Project links

Selected publications

1. Sirola. A., Savela, N., Savolainen, I., Kaakinen, M. & Oksanen, A. (2019) The role of virtual communities in gambling and gaming behaviors: A systematic review. Journal of Gambling Studies (online first), DOI: 10.1007/s10899-020-09946-1

2. Sirola., A., Kaakinen, M., Savolainen, I. & Oksanen, A. (2019) Loneliness and online gambling-community participation of young social media users. Computers in Human Behavior 95(June), 136-145. DOI: 10.1016/j.chb.2019.01.023

3. Sirola, A., Kaakinen, M., Turja, T. & Oksanen, A. (2019). (Un)doing Deviance: Pro-anorexia on YouTube. In M. Wright (Ed.), Digital Technology: Advances in Research and Applications. Hauppauge, NY: Nova Science Publishers.

4. Sirola, A., Kaakinen, M. & Oksanen, A. (2018) Excessive gambling and online gambling communities. Journal of Gambling Studies, DOI: 10.1007/s10899-018-9772-0.

Own links