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Dr Riitta Valijarvi
Associate Professor (Teaching)
SSEES
UCL SLASH
- Joined UCL
- 1st Sep 2007
Research summary
My research interests include language pedagogy, Uralic languages, endangered languages, translation studies, grammaticography, verbal morphology and syntax, song lyrics, and cats in culture and society. I have co-authored a grammar of North Sámi, a minority language spoken in Norway, Sweden and Finland, and a grammar of West Greenlandic. My recent co-edited volumes include Multilingual Metal Music (Emerald, 2021), The Uralic Languages (Routledge, 2023), and Teaching and Learning Resources for Endangered Languages (Brill, 2023). I am currently working on a grammar of Meänkieli, studying sociolinguistic and cultural aspects of Meänkieli, and exploring nonbinary and genderqueer language and the connections between (Critical) Animal Studies and language. I am one of the founders and editors of the UCL Press series Grammars of World and Minority Languages.
Recent conferences:
Challenging the Binary: Non-Binary, Genderqueer, and Gender-Neutral Language in collaboration with UCL Hebrew and Jewish Studies
The Cat's Pyjamas: Cats in Culture and Society accompanied by an exhibition at Senate House Library
Teaching summary
I have worked for Uppsala University, Medborgarskolan i Uppsala, Morley College, the European Union, the Foreign Office, and the University of Westminster. I have designed exams for the European Personnel Selection Office and the Foreign Office. I have experience of teaching all levels A1-C2 both in person and online.
Courses taught
Finnish Language Level 1 (SEEF0001)
Finnish Language Level 2a - Comprehension (SEEF0005)
Finnish Language Level 2b - Production (SEEF0007)
Finnish Language Level 3a - Comprehension (SEEF0011)
Finnish Language Level 3b - Production (SEEF0013)
Finnish A (SEEF0017)
New Language: Finnish (MA) (SEES0030)
Intermediate Language: Finnish (MA) (SEES0020)
Minority Languages of Russia: Cultural and Linguistic Diversity and Endangerment (SEEE0010)
Finland: Environment Society Culture (SEEF0009)
Finnish Society and Culture 3 (SEEF0015)
How Words Work: Sounds and Sense (SEEE0002)
How Words Work: Meaning and Modularity (SEEE0003)
I also contribute to the course
Histories and Cultures of the Nordic Region (SCAN0011)
Education
- Uppsala Universitet
- Doctorate, Doctor of Philosophy | 2007
- Uppsala University
- Other higher degree, Master of Arts | 2001
- University of Turku
- First Degree, Bachelor of Arts | 2001
Biography
I have been teaching Finnish language and culture since 2001. I finished my PhD thesis for Uppsala University, Sweden, and joined UCL in 2007. I became Associate Professor (Teaching) of Finnish and Minority Languages at UCL in 2019. I also work as an Associate Professor of Finnish at Uppsala University, Sweden.
