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ELINA VUOLA theologist 1960- Elina Vuola has been a pioneer in introducing two new research areas in the Faculty of Theology: women s studies and the Latin American liberation theology. Liberation theology is based on the idea that theology and the Church must give first priority to the needs of the poor and oppressed, and that Christian faith demands that their rights are actively defended. Vuola s involvement in these questions was at first very unacademic. In the beginning, her interest in the Third World and the issue of poverty led her to the Finnish development movement and then to Latin America, where she was involved in non-governmental organisations, travelled the continent with a backpack and worked as a free lance journalist. This is how she came into contact with liberation theology. Before resuming her studies, Vuola worked in Finnish civic organisations, which has deeply affected her research work. She says she finds it hard to motivate herself in research topics with no social relevance. Research must at least stimulate discussion. This conviction Vuola has been able to test as a columnist for the magazine Suomen Kuvalehti. In 1997 Elina Vuola completed her doctoral dissertation on the similarities and differences between liberation theology and feminist theology. Currently she is a researcher at the Institute of Development Studies of the University of Helsinki and studies the relationship between the universality of human rights and religion. Vuola focusses on the impact of religion on perceptions of women s sexual self-determination, especially in impoverished countries where religion has strong social influence. Päivi Salmesvuori 1 2 3 4 5 1 Feminist theologist Elina Vuola 1991. Photo: Paula Kukkonen. 2 Elina Vuola picking coffee in Nicaragua, December 1987. Photo: Jussi Pakkasvirta. 3 Picking coffee is a straining activity. Elina Vuola in Nicaragua, 1989. Photo: Kristiina Mannermaa. 4 Elina Vuola at the World Conference of Women's Studies in Costa Rica, February 1993. Photo: Elina Vuola. 5 Elina Vuola as the chairwoman of a panel of feminist theologians at the World Conference of Women's Studies in Costa Rica, February 1993. From left: Gladys Parenselli, Venezuela and Mary John Mananzan, Philippines. Photo: Elina Vuola.