Tanja Riekkinen

, , ,.

About

I am a doctoral researcher and project researcher specializing in the long-term history of energy and society. My focus lies in understanding how sociotechnical imaginaries and cultural visions of the future have shaped transitions toward fossil fuels – particularly oil – and how those historical trajectories continue to influence us today. My doctoral dissertation explores Finland’s transition to oil between 1949 and 1973. Through this work, I seek to uncover the historical roots of present and future energy policy decisions. My teaching has covered topics such as sustainable development, the Arctic and Nordic regions, and Finnish history. I am also active in academic service and advocacy, particularly in supporting early-career researchers. 🧭 My key areas of expertise include: - Environmental and energy history - Socio-technical imaginaries and historical energy policy - Archival research and historical methodology - University-level teaching and curriculum development - Scientific writing and science communication - Thesis supervision and academic evaluation - Event and community coordination in academic networks - Acquiring research funding and grant-based project work - Committee work in an international academic society (European Society for Environmental History) I believe that historical research plays a crucial role in making sense of societal change. I’m always open to opportunities for research collaboration, teaching, and contributing to conversations that bridge the past with current environmental and energy challenges.

Work

University of Turku

Project researcher

, , Finland

Apr 2025→ Present

Summary

University of Oulu

University teacher (part-time)

, , Finland

Mar 2025→ Apr 2025

Summary

University of Oulu

University Teacher (part time)

, , Finland

Aug 2024→ Dec 2024

Summary

University of Oulu

University teacher (part time)

, , Finland

Jan 2024→ Feb 2024

Summary

University of Oulu

University teacher (part time)

, , Finland

Aug 2023→ Dec 2023

Summary

University of Oulu

University teacher (part time)

, , Finland

Mar 2023→ Apr 2023

Summary

University of Oulu

University teacher (part time)

, , Finland

Aug 2022→ Dec 2022

Summary

University of Oulu

Teacher (part time)

, , Finland

Mar 2022→ May 2022

Summary

University of Oulu

Teacher (part time)

, , Finland

Jan 2021→ Jun 2021

Summary

University of Oulu

Teacher (part time)

, , Finland

Jan 2020→ Mar 2020

Summary

Education

University of Oulu

, , Finland

Aug 2011→ Dec 2016

Publications

Fossiilisten polttoaineiden aikakauden alku, huippu ja tavoiteltu loppu

other

Envisaging Energy Futures: Past and Present

other

Öljyä horisontissa – katse menneisiin tulevaisuuksiin

other

Tracing tensions in the history of oil: Oil research in spotlight during the 10th Tensions of Europe Conference

other

Summer Learning: New Knowledge and Networks

other

Tieteentekijöiden puolesta: Oulun yliopiston akateemiset ry 1967-2017

other

Reflections: Initiatives of the Third ESEH NEXTGATe Team (2021-2023) and Plans for the Future

other

Roundtable: Green Nordics? Histories of Energy Transitions, Green Mythmaking and Environmental Realities

Nordiske Historikermøde NHM2025

Jan 2025

conference-paper

Competing Oil Companies: The Emergence of the Oil Market in Finland from the 1860s to 1939

Baltic Connections: A Conference in Social Science History

Jan 2025

conference-paper

Parliamentary debates on oil during the First Oil Crisis in Finland

The Fourth Congress of Environmental History

Jan 2024

conference-paper

ESEH Notepad

Environment and History

Jan 2024

journal-article

Reflections: Initiatives of the Third ESEH NEXTGATe Team (2021-2023) and Plans for the Future

Environment and History

Jan 2024

journal-article

Reproducing Sociotechnical Imaginaries in Parliamentary Debates on Oil Spill Control Measures in Finland in the 1960s

European Society for Environmental History conference 2022: Same planet, different worlds environmental histories imagining anew

Jan 2022

conference-paper

Petrofutures: The Role of Sociotechnical Imaginaries in Shaping Finnish Petroculture

The 10th Tensions of Europe Conference: Technology, Environment and Resources

Jan 2022

conference-abstract

Oil technologies for the future: Reproducing and reinventing sociotechnical imaginaries of national resource security, independence and welfare in parliamentary debates on oil spill control measures in Finland in the 1960s

Sosiologipäivät: Demokratia!

Jan 2022

conference-abstract

Envisaging Energy Futures: Past and Present

Environment and History

Jan 2022

journal-article

Envisaging Energy Futures: Past and Present

Environment and History

Jan 2022

journal-article

Sosiotekniset kuvitelmat petrokulttuurin muovaajina Suomessa

Kulttuurintutkimuksen päivät: ILO

Jan 2021

conference-abstract

Petrofutures: Imagining Finnish Oil Culture in the Holocene

Maantieteen päivät: Ratkaisuja etsimässä / The annual meeting of Finnish geographers: seeking solutions

Jan 2021

conference-abstract

For and Against Finnish Oil Refining: Shaping Pathways to Secure Oil Supply in the Finnish Parliament in the 1950s

Streams: Transformative Environmental Humanities

Jan 2021

conference-abstract

Fossiilisten polttoaineiden aikakauden alku, huippu ja tavoiteltu loppu

Suomen ympäristöhistoria 1700-luvulta nykyaikaan

Jan 2021

book-chapter

Contesting Sociotechnical Imaginaries of Petroleum Represented in Finland from the 1950s to the 1970s

Suomen ympäristöhistoriapäivä / Environmental history day of Finland

Jan 2020

conference-paper

Fossiiliriippuvuuden kasvu ja syventyminen

Historiantutkimuksen päivät 2019

Jan 2019

conference-abstract

Futures made of petroleum

ESEH 2019: Boundaries in/of Environmental History

Jan 2019

conference-abstract

Sociotechnical imaginaries of oil in Finland in the 1950s

Petrocultures Conference 2018: Transitions

Jan 2018

conference-abstract

Öljyinen maailma, öljyinen Suomi

The Finnish Society for Environmental Social Sciences (YHYS) Naturecultures Colloquium

Jan 2018

conference-abstract

Sociotechnical Imaginaries of Oil in Finland in the 1950s

Technological drive from past to future? 50 years of ICOHTEC

Jan 2018

conference-abstract

Tieteentekijöiden puolesta: Oulun yliopiston akateemiset ry 1967-2017

Oulun yliopiston akateemiset

Jan 2017

book