Johanna Vuorelma is University Lecturer in International Politics at Tampere University and Associate Professor of Political Science at the University of Turku. Her research focuses on political language, the politics of proximity, and trust in international politics. She has previously worked at the Centre for European Studies at the University of Helsinki and at the Tampere Institute for Advanced Study. Vuorelma received her PhD from the University of Warwick in 2017 and her MA degree from University College London in 2008.
Vuorelma’s recent academic publications include the books Irony in International Politics (Edinburgh University Press 2024) and Narrative Traditions in International Politics (Palgrave Macmillan 2022), as well as journal articles in Cooperation and Conflict, Scandinavian Political Studies, Yhteiskuntapolitiikka, European Journal of Communication, and Politiikka. Vuorelma is currently writing an academic monograph on national shame and pride in Finland from the Cold War to the NATO era. The book is scheduled to be published by Gaudeamus in 2027.
Ironists of the World, unite! Vuorelma diligently analyses how both the established and the outsiders in the liberal world order reveal its contradictions through the shared discursive strategy of irony. Irony in International Politics is a must read for IR scholars interested in the study of discourse and agency.
Professor Bahar Rumelili, Koç University
Vuorelma carefully situates the concept of irony in philosophical and discursive terms to provide a compelling critique of the liberal west’s increasingly fraught politics. Bringing to light the ironic interventions of key political actors like Varoufakis and Trump, she offers a sophisticated analysis distinguishing between multiple forms of irony to illuminate the deeper cultural and political stakes of our hyper-mediatised present. An impressive accomplishment!
Dr James Brassett, University of Warwick
Johanna Vuorelma on kirjoittanut merkittävän teoksen ironian käytöstä kansainvälisessä politiikassa. Teos ankkuroituu ennen kaikkea kansainvälisten suhteiden, poliittisen retoriikan mutta myös filosofian tutkimuksen perinteisiin. Vuorelman lukeneisuus on ihailtavan laajaa.
Emeritus Professor Jukka Kekkonen, University of Helsinki
Academic and Societal Activities
Research Projects and Positions of Trust
Vuorelma currently leads a research project funded by the Emil Aaltonen Foundation, examining the politics of proximity in Finland (2025–2029). Vuorelma’s previous research projects, funded by the Kone Foundation, the Academy of Finland, and the Finnish Cultural Foundation, have addressed topics such as the use of irony in international politics, authority and trust in times of crisis, the relationship between militarism and democracy, and narratives in international politics.
Vuorelma serves on the board of the Nordic International Studies Association, the board of the Finnish International Studies Association, and as Editor-in-Chief of Nordic Review of International Studies. She is also a board member of Tieteen tiedotus ry, a member of the editorial advisory board of Tampere University Press, a member of the editorial advisory board of Tieteessä tapahtuu published by the Federation of Finnish Learned Societies, Chair of the Programme Committee for the Science Forum 2027, and a board member of the Väinö Tanner Foundation.
She has previously served, among other roles, on the board of the Finnish Association for Scholarly Publishing, as Vice Chair of a panel of the Publication Forum, as Editor-in-Chief of Politiikasta published by the Finnish Political Science Association, and as a member of the Young Academy Finland.
Interviews and Talks
Public Commentator and Keynote Speaker
Vuorelma is an active public commentator who writes columns for the Finnish Broadcasting Company (Yleisradio) and Helsingin Sanomat. She regularly gives keynote talks and expert interviews on themes related to democracy, trust, political language, and political developments in Finland and Europe. Her interviews have appeared, among others, in Yleisradio, Helsingin Sanomat, Suomen Kuvalehti, BBC, The New York Times, Reuters,Der Tagesspiegel, and SVT.
