Nelli Piattoeva, professor, Sociology of Education, Tampere University

Tell us briefly about your research topics and international work

I am interested in the social and political context of education, and I examine education as an instrument of governance, for example, school as a means of building national identity. My research currently focuses on the education systems in the former Soviet states. I also investigate how schools and universities are governed and how different forms of governance, such as the use of numerical data, manifest themselves and have an impact.  
In addition to teaching and research, my work also includes international activities. For example, I have been involved in EU funding applications and lead the Research Centre on Transnationalism and Transformation (TRANSIT). I am also preparing the European Conference on Educational Research (ECER), Europe’s largest annual educational research conference that will take place in Tampere in August 2026. Through these projects, I aim to contribute to the understanding of global education issues and to find solutions that will benefit education systems around the world.  

Based on your vast experience, what makes Tampere an especially good location for international conferences?

Both small and large events can be organised in Tampere, as the city offers facilities for different types of meetings. In addition, Tampere has a wide range of hotels, many of which are brand new or newly renovated. Tampere offers a rich cultural programme and at the end of the conference day you can easily get away to the peace and quiet of nature, sauna and swimming.

How would you describe Tampere as a city? What makes it special?

Tampere combines the urban life of a young and energetic international city with proximity to nature. There are meaningful hobbies to suit all tastes, and good transport connections make it easy to get around both within the city and across Finland.