Eeva Sinisalo-Juha

I am a youth worker and youth researcher (D.Soc.Sc.). The title of my dissertation was “Youth Worker as a Human Rights Educator”.  

At Humak (2008 -), my duties have been related to research, development and innovation activities in youth work, as well as teaching youth work. I have worked extensively as an expert in both domestic and international youth work networks and projects.  

My research themes have included the development of identity and agency during adolescence, youth work, young people’s hobbies, loneliness, gaming and inclusion. On the other hand, I have also been interested in human rights and human rights education in my research, which naturally bring with them diverse questions related to equality and democracy.  

I worked as a researcher (2021-2024) at the Centre of Expertise Kentauri, which focuses on the activities of youth organisations. My themes were the significance of hobbies and NGO activities for young people and the loneliness of young people. I have worked as an expert (2025-2027) at the Centre of Expertise in Equality on the field of youth, and my duties have included studying the situation of equality in the Finnish youth sector. In my current position as a Principal Researcher (2026 -), I work with the broad themes of the “Transforming Communities” research programme.  

As a research manager (2019-2020) at a Finnish NGO Valo-Valmennusyhdistys, I was responsible for two studies: “From Euroscepticism to Euro-Curiosity Stories told by the most vulnerable about the significance of the EU in their lives” as the development of the operating model of “the Youth Guarantee House”. 

 I’m interested in a wide range of phenomena and challenges. I hope we can wonder and solve them together, right? 

Contact us

• Partners for research and development projects  
• Youth work  
• Issues related to young people
• Youth policy
• Youth research
• Equality & Inclusion
• Human rights & fundamental rights
• Human rights education  
• Civic engagement & Activism