Tuija Saresma studies hate speech – and has also been a target of it.
“I’m sure I would have had it easier if I only studied things that are nice and pleasant. However, as a critical researcher of cultural and gender studies, I feel I have a duty to highlight societal problems and try to find solutions to them through research.”
This is how Tuija Saresma, appointed as Professor of Cultural Studies at the University of Eastern Finland since this April, describes her path to researching themes that can cause even anxiety, such as hate speech, racism and misogyny.
Saresma’s career as a researcher of social media started in the 2010s when she began studying blogs. Back then, she came across posts by men’s rights activists, which piqued her interest. Her research into blogs was soon noticed on social media and, as a result, Saresma received her first unpleasant feedback.
When Saresma began to study populism, hate speech directed at her only increased. As a researcher, she became interested in the phenomenon.
“At the moment, I am first and foremost a researcher of hate speech, but often also a target of it.”
Although the feedback flooding from the internet can sometimes be shocking and hurtful, Saresma considers her research so meaningful that she won’t be persuaded to quit by any obstacles or difficulties.
“I hope my current research benefits actors ranging from researchers to politicians, and from civic activists to legislators. Perhaps research will also provide us with tools to eliminate hate speech.”
A voice of reason and tolerance
The amount of hate speech directed at Saresma speaks volumes about the significance of her research and commentary. Attempts have been made to silence her through, for example, various threats and online targeting campaigns.
“It’s sad that in a way, they’ve succeeded. For example, I’m nowadays less active on X because I don’t always have the energy to face the storm that my posts sometimes ignite. In addition, certain parties tag me in various discussions, expecting a comment, or rather, provocation. It’s quite exhausting.”
She says she’s started to think about whether she should just hang in there and be a voice of reason and tolerance, as discussion on social media keeps sliding in an ever more polarised, hostile and, for example, racist direction.
“All kinds of trolls and bots make it impossible to win this battle, but I still wish people could engage in constructive dialogue on social media, even on X, without being aggressive and narrow-minded.”
Attacks on academic thinking are a cause of concern
Saresma has been accused of not being a real researcher, but an activist and ‘a green-leftist pseudoscientist’, due to her areas of research. So, can a researcher have their own, publicly voiced opinions about their research topics?
“Although researchers of course should strive for objectivity, I don’t think anyone can be fully objective. Humanists are always involved in the phenomena they study, but this doesn’t mean that researchers’ opinions would affect their results. However, researchers’ views and values will always influence the choice of their research topic. It is good to be aware and open about them.”
Calling a researcher’s qualifications into question is one method populists employ to discredit published research.
“Attacks on academic thinking and researchers in Finland, too, are a cause of concern. Nowadays, research in certain specific fields is systematically being called into question on social media. Intentional disinformation is frightening, as it is used to manipulate and exploit the gullible.”
Saresma wants to keep these issues on the agenda to defend the freedom of research, which is an essential part of freedom of speech and, ultimately, of democracy.
“My research provides tools for identifying and dismantling processes that create inequalities, and it thereby contributes to and improves the lives of marginalised groups of people, for example.”
Important verbalisers of culture
“Although I work with difficult subjects, my outlook has remained positive and believe that most people want what’s best for others.”
In other words, there is hope. According to Saresma, scholars of cultural studies can be at the forefront of creating a new kind of discussion culture, as they understand the mechanisms of meaning-making, othering and encountering diversity. Although this is challenging, better understanding is worth fighting for.
“I feel my work revolves around issues that are at the core of humanity. Every now and then, I hear arguments saying that fields of the humanities, such as cultural studies, should not be given a seat at the table of science. I think this is a very short-sighted view because no one on this planet acts or communicates detached from culture. It would, therefore, be dangerous not to explore something so essential and fundamental.”
All our understanding is rooted in how we interact with one another, how we create meanings, which values we believe in, and which emotions we attach to our actions. All this shapes society and creates culture, and is what cultural studies focuses on.
“We scholars of cultural studies have every reason to be proud of our field – our work helps to understand humanity. Without culture, we wouldn’t be human.”
The idea of cultural studies not having a seat at the table of science is very short-sighted, as no one on this planet acts or communicates detached from culture.
Tuija Saresma
Professor
Work-life balance matters for professors, too
In recent years, Saresma has learnt to clear her calendar not only for work, but also for herself.
“Studying hate speech takes a mental toll and is quite exhausting. I couldn’t cope with it all without my family and friends. I also value my health more with each passing year, and I try to cherish it by practicing yoga and taking long walks while listening to audiobooks.”
For her new job, Saresma has found a second home in Joensuu, with the landscapes of North Karelia waiting to be explored.
“Although my work is extremely exciting, and I sometimes find myself working too hard, and it is essential to find a counterbalance. That’s a thought I intend to cherish even as a professor.”
TUIJA SARESMA
Professor of Cultural Studies 1 April 2024–
Born 1968 in Sulkava
- PhD, Contemporary Culture, University of Jyväskylä, 2007
- MSocSc, Sociology, University of Jyväskylä, 1996
- MA, Literature, University of Jyväskylä, 1996
- Title of Docent in Gender Studies, University of Helsinki, 2022
- Title of Docent in Cultural Studies, especially Gender Studies, University of Eastern Finland, 2018
- Title of Docent in Contemporary Culture, especially Biographical Research, University of Jyväskylä, 2010
Key roles:
- Senior Lecturer, University of Jyväskylä, 2021–2024
- Senior Researcher, University of Jyväskylä, 2014–2021
- Chair of the Society for Cultural Studies in Finland, 2010–2012
- Chair of the Association for Gender Studies in Finland, 2020–2021
- Treasurer of the Association of Cultural Studies, 2020–
- Academic of the Year, 2022
Photos of Tuija Saresma: https://mediabank.uef.fi/A/UEF+Media+Bank/64464?encoding=UTF-8 https://mediabank.uef.fi/A/UEF+Media+Bank/64463?encoding=UTF-8 https://mediabank.uef.fi/A/UEF+Media+Bank/64459?encoding=UTF-8
For further information, please contact:
Tuija Saresma, tuija.saresma(at)uef.fi, tel. +358 50 463 2828
