Jari Ristiniemi

Curriculum vitae

• Bachelor of Theology at Uppsala University 1981-02-03
• Substituting priest, Enköping, Finnish Assembly 1981–1988
• Military Pastor, Uusimaa Brigade, Ekenäs, Finland 1983-01-01-1983-06-03
• Accepted to postgraduate studies at the Department of Theology, Uppsala University 1983-10-18
• Doctor of Theology in Philosophy of Religion 1987-05-15
• Senior Lecturer in Religious Studies at Uppsala University from VT 1988 to 1996-05-30
• Conference leader at the Sigtuna Foundation 1989-01-01 - 1991-06-30
• Researcher at the Research Secretariat of the Church of Sweden from 1991-07-01 to 1992-06-30
• University lecturer at Sköndalsinstitutet/Ersta & Sköndal högskola from ht 92 to ht 96
• Senior Lecturer in Philosophy of Religion at Uppsala University 1993-07-01 – 1994-12-31
• Examiner at the basic course in Religious Studies AB, block V, Uppsala University, Department of Theology 1993-07-01 - 1994-12-31
• Director of Studies, responsible for the quality assurance program for undergraduate education at the Department of Theology, Uppsala University, 1995-01-01 - 1996-06-30
• Course coordinator (contract education) for the ethics program at Ersta & Sköndal University College from HT 1999
• Lecturer at the University of Gävle from autumn 1999.
• Subject representative for religious studies at the University of Gävle from 2002-10-01-2009-12-31
• Head of the Division of Cultural, Religious and Educational Studies from 2010-01-01 to 201103-21
• Associate Professor of Religious Studies at the University of Gävle 2012–2014
• Professor of Religious Studies at the University of Gävle 2015–

Pedagogical merits

• Uppsala University's teacher training program for university teachers
• Mentor Training at Uppsala University
• Member of the Mentor College at Uppsala University
• Mentor for academic teachers, Department of Theology, Uppsala University
• Supervisor at Uppsala University
• Supervisor in social services

Other assignments

• Member of the Church of Sweden's confessional work 1991–92
• Member of the Library Council at the Department of Theology 1994–95
• Member of the Gender Equality Committee, Department of Theology, Uppsala University 1993–94
• Teacher representative in the HVS board at the University of Gävle from autumn 2002 until fall 2009
• Member of the Board of Directors for The North American Paul Tillich Society 2016–2018

The teaching is based on the correlation method where people's questions during different historical eras in the past and also in the present are the starting point. The following topics are discussed: What questions have people asked in different times? How have they applied for and seeking answers to these questions? How do the answers of science relate to the answers of philosophies of life and religions? What are the scientific answers in relation to those of philosophies of life and religious responses? How do we determine what is relevant, true or false? The teaching is usually done in the reflexive groups where participants may define and express their questions. A reflective surface is created in which different perspectives on the issues are expressed. I have years of experience in contract training in ethical issues in health care.