Unique craft science surprises with its diversity
Finnish craft science is a unique field of research even on a global scale, and Finland has played a pioneering role in the development of the discipline. People all over the world are becoming more and more interested in crafts and, according to Professor of Craft Science Sirpa Kokko, now’s the time for Finns to show the finesse of the discipline.
In Finnish culture, an ideal person is someone who can make and do things with their own hands. Crafts and craft skills have always been valued in Finland, and every Finn has some kind of relationship with crafts.
Perhaps this is why Finland has been a pioneer in the development of craft science. Here, crafts are taught throughout the comprehensive school, and craft teachers have a university degree. Appointed as Professor of Craft Science at the beginning of this year, Sirpa Kokko says that many people may have a narrow idea of crafts, even though the discipline is truly diverse.
“It is by no means just about teaching people to do crafts. Crafts have a global and multidisciplinary dimension, and there are many interesting lines of research in the field.”
According to Kokko, crafts could be a way of polishing Finland’s image.
“We have the privilege of studying crafts in school. In addition, we have plenty of opportunities for crafts-related hobbies. In Finland, crafts can be a source of livelihood, and the field can even be studied at university. None of this is given elsewhere.”
New work horizons
Although the coronavirus pandemic has clearly increased people's interest in crafts, Finns were craft enthusiast already before the pandemic. Crafts have been demonstrated to enhance well-being, and craft skills require both bodily and cognitive processes.
According to Kokko, the well-being effect of doing crafts could also open up new work prospects in the near future. At the moment, there aren’t enough work opportunities in basic education for all graduates of craft science, mainly because lesson hours for crafts have been reduced.
“That is why the education we offer must also provide a basis and ideas for new kinds of work opportunities.”
For example, researchers working in the international Handmade Wellbeing project coordinated by Kokko found that doing crafts supports people's well-being in a versatile manner even in old age.
“I believe that as the population ages, taking care of the well-being of the elderly will become a key issue. At the same time, it may enable the emergence of new, different professions for example in the field of crafts.”
In addition, more research is needed into how crafts could be used to support groups with special needs, such as children, young people and adults. According to Kokko, the University of Eastern Finland’s craft science programme could focus more on the viewpoints of special education; after all, special education is taught and studied in the same department.
“However, our programme cannot provide all possible knowledge and skills for the rest of our graduates’ lives, but it creates a foundation on which everyone builds their professional skills.”
Several crafts carry with them a long cultural tradition that is also being fostered in university-level education. According to Kokko it is about maintaining and developing a living cultural heritage.
A strong division by gender is starting to disappear
Crafts are associated with a long, gendered tradition. Traditionally, they have played a role in raising girls into womanhood, and boys into manhood.
“In my doctoral thesis, I studied how hidden practices in school guided girls towards choosing textile work, and boys towards technical work. This division has, unfortunately, often been taken for granted in schools, too.”
Partly because of this, the transition to multi-material craft in accordance with the new national core curriculum hasn’t always been easy in schools.
“I noticed this in my recent research, which examined the debate on the new national core curriculum for craft. Multi-material craft means that pupils no longer have to choose between textile work and technical work; instead, all pupils learn diverse craft contents in basic education. For many craft teachers with a strong orientation towards either textile or technical work, this has been a painful experience of having to let go.”
According to Kokko, however, the change is a welcome step forward because the underlying gendered craft tradition has had such a strong impact on pupils’ choices.
“The division will certainly start to disappear as a result of this change. Although multi-material craft has also been criticised, I am confident that in 10–20 years’ time we can’t help but wonder why we used to split crafts into two or by gender. Especially now when the concept of gender has become broader.”
I am confident that in 10–20 years’ time we can’t help but wonder why we used to split crafts into two or by gender.
Sirpa Kokko
Professor of Craft Science
New modules
Kokko says that crafts are a very culture-specific concept. While the term craft in Finland is understood to include textile work and technical work, its Swedish counterpart also includes gardening and landscape design.
“If we operate within Finland alone, our horizons will become narrow. A small discipline needs international collaboration. I am involved in a pan-Nordic project and network of craft science, but wider international collaboration is also being planned.”
Research in craft education should also be integrated into larger frameworks.
“The world doesn’t follow a classification by school subjects, but everything is linked to everything. Broad-based competence, 21st century skills and multidisciplinary learning modules have therefore been brought to the centre of upbringing and education both in Finland and elsewhere. This applies to crafts, too.”
Links to crafts have been found, among other things, in the teaching of mathematics and science, allowing pupils to see the importance of the subjects in a new way on a course that combines them.
However, more research and collaboration between teachers and researchers from different fields are needed for the creation of new modules.
“The field of craft science is extremely diverse and there are many interesting lines of research. That’s why it is my dream to attract more researchers to this field.”
SIRPA KOKKO
Professor of Craft Science 1.1.2022–, University of Eastern Finland
Doctor of Education, 2007, University of Joensuu
Licentiate of Education, 2003, University of Joensuu
Master of Education, 1987, University of Joensuu
Key roles
Associate Professor, Craft Science and Craft Pedagogy, 2021, University of Helsinki
University Lecturer, Craft Didactics, 2013–2021, University of Helsinki
University Lecturer, Craft Education, 1999–2013, University of Eastern Finland
Lecturer in Textile Work, 1987–1999, City of Joensuu
Supervising Craft Teacher. Mansa School for Continuing Education, 1990–1992, Zambia. KEPA.
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