POISED-quarterly is an online research seminar series hosted by the Political Philosophies and Sociologies of Education (POISED) -research group, based at Tampere University, Finland. The seminar gathers together critical societal research both internationally and from Finland, creating a forum for academic discussion on topical themes in education. Currently it is co-chaired by Tuomas Tervasmäki and Jan Varpanen.
2026–2027 TBA
2025–2026 Trouble in Education
The theme for academic year 2025–2026 was “Trouble in education”. The seminar explored issues or perspectives that deal somehow with trouble(s) in education or present a view that is itself troubling, turning something previously familiar into unfamiliar or problematised. Each session consists of an expert presentation followed by an open discussion. Video-recordings of the lectures are available via links below:
3.10.2025 Matthew Clarke (University of Aberdeen) & Margaret Lo (Independent Scholar): The virtue of creativity in teaching: A psychosocial approach, chair Tuomas Tervasmäki
20.11.2025 Anni Piiroinen (University of Jyväskylä): Anger as a parasite in the pedagogical relation, chair Johanna Kallio
5.2.2026 Karin Murris (University of Oulu): Child(hood), childing and death, chair Jan Varpanen
9.4.2026 Heikki Kinnari (University of Helsinki): Rage against the ability-capital machine – Cognitive capitalism, lifelong learning and acts of resistance, chair Tuomas Tervasmäki
POISED 