My Research

RESEARCH:

After spending 4 years in Sweden as postdoctoral researcher (2 years at Chalmers University of Technology in Göteborg and 2 years at the Stress Research Institute, Stockholm University), I am finally back to Finland to my home research group HFSBG at the Institute of Behavioural Sciences, University of Helsinki. My current research interests include driver fatigue, drunk driving, cycling, road traffic suicides, and methodological issues in traffic and sleep research. 

The main aims of my dissertation were driven by the existence of a globally unique fatal accident database (VALT) in Finland and the nature of Finnish traffic law, which forbids driving while tired.The dissertation has four main aims with several more focused research questions.

(a) To estimate the prevalence of fatigue/sleepiness problems while driving.

(b) To explore the recognition of fatigue/sleepiness problems while driving.

(c) To identify risk factors and driver groups at risk of falling asleep behind the wheel.

(d) To analyze the application of the position of fatigued driving in the Finnish legal system.

The thesis summary can be found at E-thesis site of the University of Helsinki.  

GRANTS:

During my scientific career, I was extremely lucky and honored with the financial support from the following foundations and organisations:

VALT/OTI: 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2016, 2017, 2019

Finnish Cultural Foundation: 2005, 2006/2007, 2008

Henry Ford Foundation: 2005, 2006, 2007, 2010

Alkoholitutkimussäätiö: 2015

Kone foundation: 2016

Työsuojelurahasto: 2010, 2015

Trafikverket: 2013

University of Helsinki: 2007

PROJECTS:

Since the above grants were not sufficient for continuous funding of my PhD research, I was involved in a few projects within the Traffic Research Unit. These projects were funded by the Ministry of Transport and Communications Finland through its LINTU programme for road safety,the Central Organization for Traffic Safety (Liikenneturva), the Finnish Road Administration and the Radiation and Nuclear Safety Authority (STUK).