What research are you conducting and why is it important for the software industry?
I study software developers and their work environments. I’m interested in how working conditions affect software developers’ job satisfaction, well-being, and productivity. In my research, I combine data generated during the software development process with more traditional data collection methods, like surveys.
The software industry tends to emphasise technical skills, but the work is usually done in a larger team. That’s why the human side of the job matters so much for the end result. For example, I’ve looked into why software developers change jobs so often.
What does the future of the software industry look like to you?
The language models used in software development are changing fast. Those changes aren’t just about technology – they’re about how work gets done and what skills the field will need in the future.
I believe tools built on these new language models will bring new kinds of challenges to software developers’ work. The focus of the job could shift from problem-solving to testing the output of these models. That could affect the job motivation of developers.
The changes in the industry may also mean more junior-level tasks get replaced by language models. That puts more emphasis on the expertise of senior developers, which creates challenges for training and hiring in the field.
How did you end up in your current role and why did you choose LUT University?
I ended up as a researcher somewhat by chance after finishing my master’s thesis. My passion for research really took off when I was writing my dissertation, which dealt with time pressure in software development. I earned my doctorate from the University of Oulu in 2021.
LUT stands out for its strong industry connections and its focus on sustainability. My own research on the social sustainability of the software industry fits naturally into LUT's research profile. I also value the sense of community within my research group and the mentorship I’ve gotten here.
What inspires you in your work?
Producing new knowledge requires constant learning and being able to apply what you’ve learned to practice. My work lets me be creative when I draw on knowledge from different fields.
What I find most rewarding about research is getting new insights and analysing research results.
Tell us something about yourself that others may not know.
Even though I study people and organisations, I do my best work when I focus independently on one problem at a time.
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