Research group

FAIA – Functioning and Activity from Infancy to Adolescence

Futsal practice. Indoor football equipment. A group of schoolchildren in PE class. Equipment for PE class

Children and young people are the adults of the future

When we promote factors that positively affect children’s and young people’s physical activity and functional capacity, we strengthen not only the present but also healthy future factors.

Our priorities are

  1. physical activity and activities that promote health, social relationships and learning
  2. environments and technologies that promote mobility and functional capacity.

Our experts

Our members are doctors and masters in health sciences. All have extensive practical experience in physiotherapy and occupational therapy in the therapy, sport or exercise sector, as well as in multidisciplinary research and development. Our experts also have expertise in sensory integration, applied exercise, ethics, psychometrics, systemic organisational development and implementation research.

  • Ursula Hyrkkänen

    Principal Lecturer
    +358 50 598 5467
    ursula.hyrkkanen@turkuamk.fi
  • Niina Katajapuu

    Principal Lecturer, Research Group Leader
    +358 40 355 0516
    niina.katajapuu@turkuamk.fi
  • Milka Reponen

    Physiotherapy Instructor
    +358 50 521 3502
    milka.reponen@turkuamk.fi
  • Mary-Ann Kaukinen

    Head of Education and Research
    +358 44 907 4970
    mary-ann.kaukinen@turkuamk.fi
  • Maarit Janhunen

    Senior Lecturer
    +358 50 325 3700
    maarit.janhunen@turkuamk.fi
  • Laura Harikkala

    Advisor, RDI Coordinator
    +358 40 355 0437
    laura.harikkala@turkuamk.fi
  • Juho Korpi

    Lecturer (Main occupation)
    +358 50 466 9286
    juho.korpi@turkuamk.fi
  • Iida Laine

    Lecturer (Main occupation)
    +358 50 472 5307
    iida.laine@turkuamk.fi
  • Heli Arokki

    Lecturer (Main occupation)
    +358 40 355 0419
    heli.m.arokki@turkuamk.fi
  • Esa Bärlund

    Senior Lecturer
    +358 40 355 0409
    esa.barlund@turkuamk.fi
  • Eetu Väre

    Educational Activity Therapist
    +358 50 478 5139
    eetu.vaere@turkuamk.fi
  • Anu Granberg

    Senior Lecturer
    +358 40 355 0403
    anu.granberg@turkuamk.fi

We act and work wherever children, young people and their families are!

We also operate in the following research and development environments:

The Turku University of Applied Sciences Project Office offers support and guidance throughout the life cycle of an RDI project. Our project experts have years of experience and strong expertise in national and international funding programmes. We have more than 200 projects running every year, and our RDI activities have received more than €10 million in external funding.