Kuvassa on Euroopan unionin lippu, jossa on keltaisia tähtiä ympyrän sisällä sinisellä pohjalla, ja sen vieressä on teksti Co-funded by the European Union sinisellä fontilla valkoisella pohjalla.

Our team

The project members represent the following organizations:
A row of six logos: Savonia University, Dariah-FI, FH Joanneum, IMIN, an emblem with blue and gold details, and the European Union flag with the text Co-funded by the European Union.

Lyhyet, vaaleanruskeat hiukset ja vaalea iho omaavalla miehellä on yllään ruudullinen paita, ja hän katsoo kameraan neutraalilla ilmeellä valkoista taustaa vasten.

Jukka Aho

Savonia University of Applied Sciences

MHSc (Nursing), a senior lecturer and study counsellor with over 20 years of experience in mental health and substance abuse care as well as in teaching within these fields. His professional background spans clinical practice, higher education, and project work such as EU-funded ELLAN (European Later Life Active Network), that supports the development of evidence‑based approaches in health care education.

A woman with blonde hair and glasses is smiling. She is wearing a light pink sweater and standing in front of a plain, light background.

Pirjo Pehkonen

Savonia University of Applied Sciences

MSocSci (Sociology), a senior lecturer with a strong background in NGO leadership and advocacy for vulnerable groups, including families facing domestic violence and substance abuse. With over 20 years of project management experience—such as leading an EU‑funded Daphne Programme—she brings extensive expertise in social sector development, collaboration, and professional network facilitation.

A woman with wavy brown hair wearing a black blazer and black top smiles at the camera against a plain grey background.

Sumaia Al-Ghurbani

Duale Hochschule Baden-Wuerttemberg, Germany

MPH, a research associate at the ITG with a background in public health and humanitarian work in Yemen, where she supported health services for disadvantaged communities. A recipient of the WHO‑TDR Master’s Scholarship, she now applies her expertise to health research and transcultural health topics in Germany.

A smiling man with curly hair and a beard stands indoors with his arms crossed, wearing a navy blazer and white shirt. A green potted plant and modern office interior are visible in the background.

Robert Lahdo

Duale Hochschule Baden-Wuerttemberg, Germany

M.A, an academic staff member at the ITG, program coordinator and lecturer in the Master’s Program in Transcultural Trauma Pedagogy, and a coach for interdisciplinary teaching at DHBW Mannheim. His work focuses on mental health, social innovation, conflict and crisis management, emotional intelligence, and embodied approaches to strengthen resilience and authentic leadership.

A man with glasses and a full beard, wearing a green jacket over a dark shirt, poses in front of a light gray background, smiling slightly.

Florian Steger

Duale Hochschule Baden-Wuerttemberg, Germany

M.A, a research associate at the Institute for Transcultural Health Science (ITG) at DHBW, focusing on designing and implementing educational programs for adults. His expertise spans adult learning, e‑learning, and the prevention of radicalization and extremism, with a strong emphasis on pedagogical innovation.

A person with short gray hair is smiling at the camera, wearing a dark green collared shirt, standing in front of a blurred gray textured background.

Sabine Hötzl

Fh Joanneum Gesellschaft Mbh, Austria

Lyhythiuksinen henkilö, jolla on sininen bleiseri ja musta paita, jossa on valkoisia pilkkuja, seisoo sisätiloissa kaiteen vieressä ja hymyilee kameralle.

Elena Hammer

Fh Joanneum Gesellschaft Mbh, Austria

Dr, BA,BA,MA, a social pedagogue and sociologist. Her work combines social pedagogy, digital culture, and emotional processes in emerging adulthood.

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Iva Tadic´

The Institute for Migration Research, Croatia

Dr, a Senior Assistant at the Croatian Institute for Migration Research and a psychologist specializing in quality of life, stress, minority stress, and psychosocial support in extraordinary circumstances. With over a decade of experience in research, teaching, and psychotherapy for children and adolescents, she brings strong expertise in evidence‑based psychological support within educational and clinical contexts.

A man in a suit and tie.

Marko Turk

The Institute for Migration Research, Croatia

Dr, a Senior Researcher in Educational Sciences at the Croatian Institute for Migration Research and an Associate Professor with close to 20 years of academic experience. His expertise includes higher education pedagogy, teaching competencies, academic profession studies, and European education policy. He has held leadership roles at the University of Rijeka, collaborated with OECD, EUA, and the European Commission, and currently serves on the EC’s Advisory Board for VET.

Larysa Podkorytova
Alla Rudenok
Kateryna Skyba

Khmelnitsky National University, Ukraine