About
I’ve always been interested in what sits underneath things. The quiet forces that shape how we think, behave, and relate to the world around us.
That interest started in philosophy and history, and gradually moved through design, New Media, animation, and human–computer interaction — different ways of exploring the same underlying questions about people, technology, and culture.
— Outside the strategic work
An active member of MyData Global, as well as Pixelache, Helsinki’s transdisciplinary art and culture-technology collective. Previously working in performing arts, applying the research method developed during the PhD: Culture Coding. Interactive Game design lead for Lim, an immersive experimental theater piece. Collaborator on electronic arts and new media immersive performances.
— Career highlights
- 2025–presentCo-founder & Innovation Lead, Open Futures Lab — digital governance for children and youth
- 2024–presentService Design Strategist, Aalto University — Data, Analytics and ML / AI platforms, IT Service Development
- 2024–presentCo-founder, Humans & Creatures — strategic advisory cooperative
- 2022Visiting Scholar, MIT Media Lab
- 2020–2022Research Package Lead, AI & Ethics — Cicero Learning, University of Helsinki
- 2015–2025PhD researcher in New Media, Media Lab, Aalto University
- 2013–2019Founder & CEO, OYOs Games — AR ed-tech, funded by Nokia, Microsoft, Aalto
- 2006–2013Creative Lead — film postproduction, 3D animation, and digital media
— Research background
Earlier in my career, I conducted academic and practice-based research on human–AI interaction, collaborative systems, and digital culture. This work continues to inform how I approach strategy, ethics, and system design today.
Selected academic publications
- Algorithmic and data transparency improve the user–platform trust relationship
Pejoska, J., Martikainen, S., Falcon, M. · AI in Learning Conference, 2021 - Are you there? Presence in collaborative distance work
Bauters, M., Pejoska, J., Durall, E., et al. · Human Technology, 2021 - Heart rate sharing at the workplace
Wikström, V., Falcon, M., Martikainen, S., Pejoska, J., et al. · Multimodal Technologies and Interaction, 2021 - Methods and practices for supporting inclusion using current video-conferencing tools
Pejoska, J., Bauters, M. · AfriCHI Conference, 2021 - Designing for active engagement in online learning environments
Ogunyemi, A., Bauters, M., Pejoska, J., Quaicoe, J. · AfriCHI Conference, 2021 - Social augmented reality: Enhancing context-dependent communication and informal learning at work
Pejoska, J., Bauters, M., Purma, J., Leinonen, T. · British Journal of Educational Technology, 2016 - Mobile augmented communication for remote collaboration in a physical work context
Pejoska-Laajola, J., Reponen, S., Virnes, M., Leinonen, T. · Australasian Journal of Educational Technology, 2017
Research prototypes & systems
- Mood — recognizing emotions from live audio (2018)
- VoiceX — improve your speechcraft (2018)
- Phrazer app (2018)
- Nodders app (2018)
- Social augmented reality app (MindTrek, 2015)
Other research contributions
- Should affect be monitored at work? (2019, in press)
- Emotion Hack Day — building a happier internet (2018)
- R2 Learning Layers tools in the Layers ecosystem (2015)
- 2 Layers tools for artefact and mobile layer (2014)
Full list available upon request or via Google Scholar.
Also, a social person, culture lover and a mother of two boys.