Ira Virtanen: 2008

12/24/2008

Finnish Speech Culture

A new book Speech Culture in Finland (Wilkins & Isotalus (Eds.), 2009) is out in which I discuss some of the detected elements of supportive communication. My data of semi-structured and episode interviews both indicate strong cultural impact on males' supportive comunication in friendships. Quietude as a natural way of being (Carbaugh), and listening are major topics that will be discussed in my dissertation.

The choice of methods surely favours depictions of behavior. However, the aim of the dissertation is to depict and understand the nature of social support in friendships and the enactment of that support by Finnish men.

12/11/2008

Review

The Year 2008 is coming to an end and it is time to report what has been accomplished so far.

ECREA 2008 Conference in Barcelona went well and the new Interpersonal Communication and Social Interaction Section decided to hold a workshop in Tampere 2009. I will be part of the organizing committee.

My first article is almost ready to be sent to a journal. In addition to the support behaviors, I want to analyze the data for different motivations. The episode interview method that I have used has proven to be a good way to capture the intentions and motivation behind support approaches.

Have a great Xmas break and a Jolly New Year!

7/02/2008

Articles in Progress

I was accepted to the ECREA Barcelona 2008 Conference to present my first official research results. The title of my presentation is Males Serving Comfort: Warm or Cold? A Qualitative Study of Episode Interviews. It is based on my up-coming article, which I am hoping to publish early next year.

Additionally, I am writing an article to a book called Ero, vanhemmuus ja tukeminen [Divorce, parenting, and support]. I will take on male friendships and discuss how and what kind of support is provided to a friend going through separation, divorce, or a break up. Very exciting! The book is published by University of Kuopio and Central Union for Child Welfare in Finland.

Birth of Blog

Welcome to my new blog. I will present some of my research results and ideas here in the future. Also, I shall keep you posted on the work I am currently doing (e.g. articles and projects). I hope you will enjoy and comment on the things I create on the blog and on the dissertation!

7/01/2008

Work Experience

I have worked with a variety of people: mentally disabled children, high school pupils, gamblers, opera singers. What do they all have in common? Desire to be understood, to be heared, to be accepted. To be supported.

Currently, Junior Researcher (on Grant)
2008, 2007 Lecturer and Teacher, University of Tampere and University of Helsinki
2006 Head of PR and Press, Savonlinna Opera Festival (also part of staff 2005)
1997- 2006 Subsidiary Teacher, secondary school
1997-2004 Croupier, RAY

Most recent publications:

Virtanen, I. A. (2015). Supportive communication in Finnish men’s friendships. Published doctoral dissertation. Acta-Sarja 2019. Tampere University. http://urn.fi/URN:ISBN:978-951-44-9702-5
Virtanen I. A., Isotalus, P., & Keaton, S. A. (2014). “Offer no readymade solutions”: Men’s support provision and intentions in specific episodes with an upset friend. Studies in Communication Sciences, 14(1), 54–60.
Puheenvuoro ”Puheviestinnän asiantuntijayhteisön tulevaisuuden näkymiä” Prologos ry:n jäsenkirjeessä 1/2015 (Virtanen, I & Hollanti, K.).
Artikkeli ”Haasteelliset asiakaskohtaamiset eläinlääkärin työssä”. Hollanti, K. & Virtanen, I., Suomen Eläinlääkärilehti, nro 6/2014.
Virtanen, I. A., & Isotalus, P. (2014). Talking troubles with Finnish men: Meaningful contexts of ‘supportive silence’. Norma: International Journal for Masculinity Studies, 9(2), 111–125.
Virtanen, I. A., & Isotalus, P. (2013). A clear mirror on which to reflect: Beneficial supportive communication in Finnish men’s friendships. Qualitative Communication Research, 2(2), 133–158.
Virtanen, I. A. (2013). Ikä ja elämänkulku miesten ystävyyssuhteissa. Teoksessa Ilkka Pietilä & Hanna Ojala (toim.) Miehistä puhetta: Miehet, ikääntyminen ja vanhenemisen kulttuuriset mallit (s. 227–251). Tampere: TUP.
Virtanen, I. A. (2011). Talking about learning – The ever-changing environment. Teachers as sources of informal social support. The Teaching and Learning Newsletter, The Language Center & Department of Communication, South East European University, Makedonia.
Virtanen, I. A. & Isotalus, P. (2011). The essence of social support in interpersonal communication. Empedocles: European Journal for the Philosophy of Communication, 3 (1), 25-42.
Virtanen I. A., & Isotalus, P. (2010). Miesten tukea antava viestintä eroavalle ystävälle [Men’s support provision for a friend breaking up]. In J. Hämäläinen, P. Pölkki & A. Kääriäinen (Eds.) Ero, vanhemmuus ja tukeminen [Divorce, parenting and support] (pp. 224-253). Helsinki: Central Union for Child Welfare in Finland & University of Kuopio.
Virtanen, I. A. (2009). Finnish supportive communication: A qualitative study on middle-aged singles support seeking. In R. Wilkins & P. Isotalus (Eds.) Speech culture in Finland (pp. 117-138). New York, NY: University Press of America.

Ira Virtanen