Jelena Porsanger

Dr. Jelena Porsanger is an associate senior researcher at the University of Helsinki, Finland, and works at the Sámi museum (RiddoDuottarMuseat) in Kárášjohka, Norway. She was Vice-Chancellor of Sámi University College in 2011–2015 and has previously worked as a research director, senior researcher, and lecturer at various institutions. She was CEO of the Nordic Sami Research Institute in Guovdageaidnu in 2007–2009 and a senior researcher at the same institute in 2005–2007, Associate Professor in the Department of Sámi Language and Culture at the University of Tromsø in 1998­–2005, and a lecturer and researcher at the University of Helsinki before 1998. From 2007 to 2011 she was Chief Editor of the peer-reviewed multidisciplinary research journal, Sámi dieđalaš áigečála, which publishes research articles originally written in Sámi language. Her research interests include Indigenous research methodologies, Indigenous religions, Sámi and Indigenous oral traditions and knowledge, and source criticism from an Indigenous perspective, with special attention to traditional knowledge, research ethics, empowerment of Sámi communities, capacity building and the development and application of Indigenous approaches in research. She is also an expert in the digitisation of Sámi cultural heritage and in Indigenous museology.