Lauri

I am Lauri Tainio, a PhD student at the Institute for Asian and African Studies, University of Helsinki.

At the moment I am working, as seconded staff, for an international organisation in Kosovo. Before the current assignment I have, among other things, worked in an Embassy of Finland and for the Ministry for Foreign Affairs, co-edited an academic book, lectured at the University (Institute for Asian and African Studies, Renvall Institute, Open University), been the executive secretary of a human rights group, written op-eds, sold Oriental carpets etc.

I am interested in Turkey and history of modern Turkey, Middle East, Balkans, Caucasus and Central Asia, political violence and terrorism, human rights, minorities and the concept of minority, Islam and Eastern Christianity, civilian crisis management, and popular culture.

Outside the work and academia I enjoy cinema, photography, tavla, meze, and football.

So far I have lived in Finland, Turkey and Kosovo.