I like to think my greatest accomplishments are those magical moments when a dog I don’t know looks at me, thinks, "Hey, you're cool," and then graces me with a tail wag and a hello.
Another proud moment was being the first of our GINTL team to summit Dune 7 in Namibia.
Not CV material?
See below for some academic highlights!
teaching & SUPERVISION
2019- Course Coordinator & Lecturer (with Vladimirova, A.), Introduction to Environmental Education, U Oulu (5 ECTS).
2019- Course Coordinator & Lecturer (with Rautio, P. & Tammi, T.), Monilajinen lapsuustutkimus: ihmiskeskisyyden haastaminen kasvatuksessa [Multispecies Childhood Studies: Challenging Anthropocentrism in Education], U Oulu (5 ECTS).
2021- Course Coordinator & Lecturer (with Tammi, T.), Master’s Thesis Seminar: Multispecies Research & Sustainability Education, U Oulu.
2024 Guest Lecturer, “Os Animais no Sistema Escolar,” Curso Pós-Graduado Animais & Sociedade, Human-Animal Studies Hub, Institute of Social Sciences, U Lisbon.
2021-22 Lecturer, Advanced Course in Qualitative Research, U Oulu (5 ECTS).
2021-22 Guest Lecturer, ‘Human-animal Studies and Posthumanism’, Approaches to Cultural and Area Studies, U Helsinki.
2020-21 Course Coordinator & Lecturer, Bachelor’s Thesis Seminar: Environmental Sustainability Education, U Oulu (10 ECTS)
2020-21 Lecturer, Lapsuus yhteiskunnallisena ja kulttuurisena ilmiönä [Childhood as Cultural & Social Phenomena], U Oulu (5 ECTS)
SUPERVISION
2023 - Ongoing co-supervision of two doctoral theses: Eugenia Castellazzi (U Helsinki) and Fariha Khan (U Oulu).
2021 Main supervisor of four ongoing Master’s theses, co-supervisor of one ongoing Master’s thesis, main supervisor of four completed Master’s theses.
2020-21 Main supervisor of 13 completed Bachelor’s theses
publications
PEER-REVIEWED ARTICLES
Raymond, C., Rautio, P., Fagerholm, N., Aaltonen, V.A., Andersson, E., Celermajer, D., Christie, H., Saari, M.H., Mishra, H.S., Lechner, A.M., Pinto, M.P., Schlosberg, D. (2025). Applying multispecies justice in nature-based solutions and urban sustainability planning: Tensions and prospects. NpJ Urban Sustainability. https://doi.org/10.1038/s42949-025-00191-2
Tammi, T., Hohti, R., & Saari, M.H. (2024). Imagination switch – Friction and thick time in speculative worldmaking. Educational Philosophy and Theory, 1–14. https://doi.org/10.1080/00131857.2024.2409733
Saari, M. H., Poulton-Busler, R., & Vladimirova, A. (2024). Does sustainability really start with teachers? Reflections on integrating environmental education in pre-service teacher education in Namibia and Finland. The Journal of Environmental Education, 1–15. https://doi.org/10.1080/00958964.2024.2375210
Kervinen, A., Hohti, R., Rautio, P., Saari, M.H., Tammi, T., Aivelo, T. (2024) Ratty places – unsettling human-centeredness in ecological inquiry with young people. Environmental Education Research. DOI: 10.1080/13504622.2024.2314037
Rautio, P., Tammi, T., Aivelo, T., Hohti, R., Kervinen, A., Saari, M.H. (2022) “For whom? By whom?”: critical perspectives of participation in ecological citizen science. Cult Stud of Sci Educ 17, 765–793.
Saari, M.H. (2020) Näkymättömistä näkyviksi: eläimet tulevaisuuden koulujärjestelmässä [From invisible to visible: animals in future schools], in Wahlberg, B. & Aaltola, E. (Eds.) Me & Muut Eläimet: Uusi Maailmanjärjestys [Other animals and us: towards a new world order], Tampere: Vastapaino, 121-138.
Kopnina, H. & Saari, M.H. (2019) If a Tree Falls: Learning active citizenship from environmentalists, Education Sciences, 1-16.
Saari, M.H. & Gómez-Galán, J. (2019) Innovative education models for nonhuman animal protection: a case study on a European School Scheme, International Journal of Educational Excellence, 5(1), 95-114.
Saari, M.H. (2019) Book Review: Education for Total Liberation: Critical Animal Pedagogy and Teaching against Speciesism, Educational Studies, 0(0), 1-5.
Saari, M.H. (2018) Re-imagining the human-nonhuman animal relationship through humane education, in A. Cutter-Mackenzie, K. Malone, E. Barrat Hacking (Eds.) International Research Handbook on ChildhoodNature: Assemblages of Childhood and Nature Research, Springer, 1-11.
BOOKS
Tammi, T., Hohti, R., Rautio, P., Leinonen, R.M., Saari, M.H. (2020) Lasten ja eläinten suhteet – monilajista yhteiseloa [Children’s relations with other animals: a multispecies coexistence], Helsinki: Into Kustannus.
PUBLICATIONS INTENDED FOR GENERAL PUBLIC AND/OR PROFESSIONAL COMMUNITIES
Saari, M.H. (2024). A Multispecies Justice Approach to Climate Change Education. In L. Griffin, L. Ropartz, S. Bannister & A. Merrick (Eds.) Climate Change Education Research Collection. International Baccalaureate Organization. Commissioned Report.
Saari, M.H., Venâncio, C. & Policarpo, V. (2022) Who is your CLAN? A toolkit for exploring human-animal relations in multispecies homes and communities. / Quem é o teu CLAN? Um toolkit para explorar as relações humano-animais em lares e comunidades multi-espécie.
Saari, M.H. (2022) Sustainable futures for whom? Towards an education for interspecies sustainability, Blog SHIFT: Environment, Territory and Society Research Group of the Institute of Social Sciences of the University of Lisbon.
Saari, M.H. (2021) Where do we go from here? Imagining sustainable and just multispecies futures, CitiRats Blog,
Rautio, P., Hohti, R., Saari, M.H., Tammi, T. (2020) Ihmiskeskeisyydestä kohti monilajisuutta: yhteiselon hankalat kysymykset myötätunnon perustana? [From anthropocentrism towards multispecies coexistence: difficult questions as a foundation for compassion?], Ympäristökasvatus Teema 2020, 22-23.
Rautio, P. & Saari, M.H. (2020) Minkälainen karhu koulussa asuu? (Ja tulisiko se häätää sieltä?) [What kind of bear lives in the school? (And should they be evicted?)], Natura 3/20.
THESES
Saari, M.H. (2021) Animals as stakeholders in education: towards an educational reform for interspecies sustainability, A doctoral dissertation submitted to the University of Oulu for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy (Doctoral Degree Programme in Educational Sciences).
Saari, M.H. (2016) Humane education as a new didactic for animal protection. A dissertation submitted to the Autonomous University of Barcelona for the degree Master in Animal Law and Society.
SELECTED PRESENTATIONS
SELECTED PRESENTATIONS AND INVITED KEYNOTES
11/2024 CARNE: A Pegada Insustentavel Documentary Screening [Invited Panelist]. Escola Superior de Tecnologia da Saúde de Lisboa
10/2024 A Multispecies Dialogue: How to Include the Nonhuman in our Research Practice? [Invited Panelist]. Human-Animal Studies Conference, Institute of Social Sciences, University of Lisbon.
09/2024 Integrating Multispecies Justice Perspectives in (Environmental) Education. [Invited speaker]. Adventures in Posthumanism Network Research Seminar, Plymouth Institute of Education, University of Plymouth.
05/2024 Rautio, P. & Saari M.H. Multispecies Justice and Education. Helsinki Institute of Sustainability Science (HELSUS) & MUST Writing Retreat: Multispecies Justice and Nature-Based Solutions Planning in Urban Areas.
04/2024 Challenges and Opportunities of Multispecies Justice Research. Multispecies Justice Roundtable Discussion. Sydney Environment Instute, University of Sydney.
03/2024 Transforming climate change education through multispecies justice. LIFE, SHIFT & HAS-Hub Seminar, Institute of Social Sciences, University of Lisbon.
03/2024 Dois Dias Pela Natureza: Earthlings Screening [Invited commentator]. A Sociedad Ecológica Estudantil da Faculdade de Letras da Universidade de Lisboa.
06/2023 Reimagining education for a sustainable world: dialogues with indigenous & multispecies perspectives. [Invited symposium panelist representing multispecies research]. ANGEL’s Biennial International Conference: Global Education & Learning for a Just, Peaceful and Sustainable World. UNESCO Headquarters, Paris.
06/2023 Animals as stakeholders in education: transformations towards interspecies sustainability [Invited keynote]. GU-CAS: Gothenburg University Critical Animal Studies Network, Sweden.
06/2023 Animal-inclusive Education for Sustainable Futures: From Policy to Practice [Invited keynote]. GU-CAS: Gothenburg University Critical Animal Studies Network, Sweden.
06/2023 Apresentações de Projetos do Workshop ‘Alterações Climáticas em Portugal: Perspectivas Multiespecies (Escola Rainha Dona Leonor Alvalade), Primeiro Seminario do Curso Animais & Sociedade, Human-Animal Studies, Institute of Social Sciences, University of Lisbon.
03/2023 Animal Wonder Reading Group: The War Against Animals, Human-Animal Studies Hub, Institute of Social Sciences. University of Lisbon.
02/2023 Saari, M.H. & Vladimirova, A. Posthumanism & critical animal studies in dialogue: perspectives on climate justice, multispecies equity, and transcorporeality, Posthuman Animal Webinar, Human-Animal Studies Hub, Institute of Social Sciences, University of Lisbon.
11/2022 Environmental Education, Sustainability and Animal Protection in Teaching & Research. University of Namibia / Environmental Education Session / Global Innovation Network for Teaching and Learning.
10/2022 Policarpo, V., Saari, M.H., Venancio, C. O “Ecossistema CLAN” – ferramentas para educadores e crianças pensarem as relações multiespécies. Webinar organized by Portuguese Directorate of Education.
06/2022 Animals as stakeholders in education: Towards an educational reform for interspecies sustainability. Animal Law Researchers Clinic, International Centre for Animal Law and Policy, Autonomous University of Barcelona
11/2021 Education for interspecies sustainability. LIFE, SHIFT & HAS-Hub Seminar, Institute of Social Sciences, University of Lisbon.
11/2021 Animal Wonder Reading Group: Animals in education, Human-Animal Studies Hub, Institute of Social Sciences, University of Lisbon.
10/2019 Animal protection and education: opportunities and challenges [Invited keynote speaker]. Mainstreaming Animal Protection, Centre for Animal Defence, Elsinore, Denmark.
06/2019 Response to Keynote Speech / Kai Horsthemke: Animal Rights Education. The Annual Meeting of the Finnish Society of the History and Philosophy of Education (FSHPE), University of Oulu.
03/2018 Lapsi-eläinsuhteen sosiaalinen rakentuminen [The social construction of child-animal relations], Voiko eläinrakkaaksi opettaa? [Can compassion for animals be taught? Public Event], Animalia Joensuu.
SELECTED CONFERENCE PRESENTATIONS
06/2024 Saari, M.H. & Poulton-Busler, R. Co-designing environmental learning in teacher education through North-South partnership [Paper presentation]. Reimagining Teachers and Teacher Education for Our Futures. University of Helsinki.
04/2023 Education in/for a multispecies commons: from violence to flourishing [Paper presentation]. American Educational Research Association (AERA) Annual Meeting, Chicago, USA.
04/2023 Pliushchik, M. & Saari, M.H. Re-conceptualizing Participation in Ecological Citizen Science: from Straight Lines to Messy Spaces [Paper presentation]. American Educational Research Association (AERA) Annual Meeting, Chicago, USA.
09/2022 Who is your CLAN? A toolkit for educators. CLAN Final Conference. Human-Animal Studies Hub, University of Lisbon.
08/2022 Animals as stakeholders in education: Towards an educational reform for interspecies sustainability [Paper presentation]. Educators for Animals Online Conference.
06/2022 Educational policy and animal law: pathways for transformative change [Paper presentation]. Theory of Animal Law Conference, University of Helsinki.
09/2019 Rethinking school food policies: from exploitative to ethical foodscapes [Paper presentation]. EurSafe: Sustainable governance and management of food systems: ethical perspectives, University of Tampere, Finland.
04/2019 Exploring ethical foodscapes and the viability of school milk schemes through humane education [Poster presentation], American Educational Research Association (AERA) Annual Meeting Toronto, Canada.
07/2018 Humane education as a new didactic for animal protection [Paper presentation]. Oxford Animal Ethics Summer School - Animal Ethics and Law: Creating Positive Change for Animals, Oxford, England.
POSITIONS OF TRUST & LEADERSHIP
01/25- Steering Group Member, ELOTILA: Inclusive co-creation model for shared agency and sustainable future imaginaries in formal education (Proof of Concept research project funded by Academy of Finland).
12/2023- Co-leader, Work Package 2 ‘Unlearning with other species’, MUST: Enabling Multispecies Transitions Consortium.
11/22-12/24 Co-leader, Environmental Sustainability Education Working Group, Global Innovation Network in Teaching and Learning (GINTL) project between University of Oulu & University of Namibia.
07/21-06/24 Co-leader, Envisioning Sustainability Research Hub, Biodiverse Anthropocenes Research Program, University of Oulu.
04/20-08/24 Board member, Network for Critical Animal Studies in Finland (CASFinland).
04/22-03/24 Chair, Network for Critical Animal Studies in Finland (CASFinland).
04/21-04/22 Treasurer, Network for Critical Animal Studies in Finland (CASFinland)
AWARDS
2022 Senior Animal Law Researcher Award. Awarded by the International Committee of the International Centre for Animal Law & Policy (ICALP), Autonomous University of Barcelona, for PhD thesis ‘Animals as stakeholders in education: Towards an educational reform for interspecies sustainability.’
INTERNATIONAL MOBILITY
Environmental Education Representative – University of Oulu Delegation, Global Innovation in Teaching and Learning (GINTL), University of Namibia. 05.-13.10.2024.
Visiting Fellow, Sydney Environment Institute, University of Sydney, Australia. 08.04-03.05.2024.
Environmental Education & Sustainability Representative - University of Oulu Delegation: Global Innovation for Teaching and Learning (GINTL) Stakeholder Visit to India. Various stakeholder visits in New Delhi, Mumbai, Pune. 28.10.-07.11.2023.
Environmental Education Representative - University of Oulu Delegation: University of Namibia, Global Innovation Network for Teaching and Learning (GINTL) Partnership. 23.09.-2.10.2023.
Visiting Postdoctoral Scholar: Human-Animal Studies Hub, Institute of Social Sciences, University of Lisbon, Portugal. PI of research project: Multispecies Climate Change Education. 01.11.2022-31.10.2023.
Environmental Education Representative - University of Oulu Delegation: University of Namibia, Global Innovation Network for Teaching and Learning (GINTL) Partnership. 12.-20.11.2022.
Visiting Doctoral Researcher: Human-Animal Studies Hub, Institute of Social Sciences, University of Lisbon, Portugal. Research project: CLAN - Challenging boundaries between humans and non-humans in contemporary societies. 01.09.-30.11.2021.
EDUCATION
2021 Doctor of Philosophy (Doctoral Degree Programme in Educational Sciences), University of Oulu, Finland.
2017 Animal Care Attendant, Luksia Western Uusimaa Municipal Education & Training Consortium, Finland.
2016 Master in Animal Law & Society, Autonomous University of Barcelona, Spain.
2013 MA Translation & Interpreting Studies, University of Manchester, UK.
2012 BA Hons Translation, Media & Spanish, University of East Anglia, UK.
2007 Cambridge CELTA (Certificate in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages), Oxford House College London, UK.
2006 Diploma in Hispanic Studies, Universidad de Málaga, Spain.
2005 International Baccalaureate, The Anglo-American School of Moscow, Russia.