Maija Kantola

BACKGROUND AND CURRENT POSITION

I have a master of social sciences degree (sociology) from the University of Helsinki. Currently, I am doctoral researcher in marketing (marketing and consumption research) at the University of Vaasa.

RESEARCH INTERESTS

My research interests lie in consumer research relating to food consumption, sustainable consumption and consumer wellbeing. My dissertation focuses on healthier food consumption and different information and mindfulness-based interventions facilitating healthier food choices, e.g. front-of-package nutrition labels and induction of eating simulations. In my research, I use experiments (online, lab, field) but I also have experience in qualitative research.

RESEARCH PROJECTS

REMU – Successful co-reformulation of healthier food products in South Ostrobothnia, 2020-2022, Business Finland, ERDF

TEACHING

Bachelor's level:

Principles of marketing (course assistant)

RECENT PUBLICATIONS

Kantola, M., Kara, A., Lahti-Koski, M., & Luomala, H.T. (2023). The effect of nutrition label type and consumer characteristics on the identification of healthy foods in Finland. Journal of International Food & Agribusiness Marketing, https://doi.org/10.1080/08974438.2023.2267048

Junkkari, T., Hopia, A., Paakki, M., Mattila, S., Arjanne, L., Kantola, M., & Luomala, H.T. (2023). Simple ways to improve nutrient content and health profile in different types of foodservice products. Journal of Foodservice Business Research, https://doi.org/10.1080/15378020.2023.2298626

Paakki, M., Kantola, M., Junkkari, T., Arjanne, L., Luomala, H., Hopia, A. (2022). "Unhealthy = tasty": How does it affect consumers' (un)healthy food expectations? Foods, 11(19), 3139. https://doi.org/10.3390/foods11193139

SOCIAL MEDIA

www.linkedin.com/in/maijakantola

Publications and expert tasks