Category: Internship

Hello! My name is My Wahteristo and I am the intern for the Kastelholm Talks 2026. I am currently studying Political Science at Åbo Akademi University for the fourth year. During my studies,courses in security policy have been especially interesting, which makes The Åland Islands Peace Institute an exciting place to learn more about.   In December, I completed my exchange semester in Canada, where I completed my minor subject in Business Administration.   It is going to be fun to combine my interests by helping to organize the Kastelholm Talks this spring! 

Hello! My name is Madeleine Pawli and I’m a junior high school intern from Övernäs skola. During my week here at The Åland Islands Peace Institute I’ll get to learn about the organization as well as participate in a seminar on democracy and polarization – I’m super excited! From my past experiences I’ve acquainted myself with peace upbringings and conflict resolution in international environments with CISV (Children’s International Summer Villages). I’ve also participated in many peace camps! Recently this summer I had the possibility to participate in one in Indiana, USA. It was truly a once in a lifetime experience! In my spare time I spend a lot of time at ÅMI (Åland’s Music Institute), hanging with friends or find myself doing a little bit of everything!

My name is Zander Willoughby, and I am a recent master’s graduate from the Department of Peace and Conflict Research at Uppsala University. Over autumn and winter 2025–2026, I will join the Åland Islands Peace Institute as a research trainee through the Erasmus+ programme. My research has focused on the gendered aspects—especially masculinity norms—of climate change and communal violence, as well as unarmed civilian protection, strategic nonviolence, and demilitarisation. I have previously worked with Search for Common Ground on ConnexUs, as well as with Nonviolent Peaceforce, the Alliance for Peacebuilding, and the Manchester University Peace Studies Institute. Since questions of autonomy frequently arise in peace negotiations, I look forward to deepening my understanding of the Åland example to inform my future work and research in peacebuilding—while also taking the opportunity to improve my Swedish during my stay.

In 2025, the Åland Islands Peace Institute will conduct a feasibility study that examines how Åland’s demilitarization and neutralization have been debated and portrayed in the media during the years 2022-2024. This study forms the basis for a future larger research application. We are looking for you who want to conduct a media analysis within the framework of this feasibility study. The assignment involves analyzing how Åland’s demilitarization has been treated in both Swedish-speaking and Finnish-speaking media in Finland. The work will result in a written report with possible graphic visualizations and will be presented at a workshop in Åland in November 2025. Who are you? We think you are: Master’s or post-master’s student in political science, media and communication studies, journalism or a similar subject. Interested in security policy, Åland, the Nordic region and media. Used to working independently and preferably have experience of media analysis – perhaps from a bachelor thesis or previous project. Comfortable with reading and analyzing texts in both Swedish and Finnish. How can the assignment be carried out? As an internship or as part of your master’s thesis (2-3 months full-time internship). As an assignment for a small fee – ideal for recent graduates

Hello, my name is Ronja Tikkanen and I am a Master’s student at Åbo Akademi University in the International Law and Human Rights programme, I am originally from Helsinki. At the Åland Islands Peace Institute I will be working as a research intern which I think will be very useful for my pro graduate writing which I will start next academic year. My interest in international law lies in EU affairs and Finland, I think the Peace Institute can give me a new perspective and I think I can be very helpful with the insights I have to offer. In my spare time I colour, watch series, knit, go to the gym and spend time with my boyfriend, friends and family. Åland will be a perfect opportunity for me to relax and enjoy.

Hi! My name is Josefina Berndtsson and I am the Ålands Peace Institute’s Kastelholm intern during spring 2025. I am currently studying information technology at Åland university of applied sciences and wish with this internship to get a better insight into the work that the Peace Institute does, as well as to try out work related to communication and cooperation. These are topics I’m interested in and look forward to learning more about! During my internship, I will be involved in organizing and following the Kastelholm Talks on Peace 2025 from start to finish.

Hi! I’m Rezwanul Haque, hailing from the land of the Bangladeshi monsoon and legendary tea stalls. You can often find me lost in thoughts about how perfect the world would be if every meeting came with an endless supply of tea (spoiler: I drink a lot of it). Currently, I’m interning with the Ålands Fredsinstitut, where I balance keeping everyone’s caffeine levels in check with some light research on Territorial Autonomy and Minority Protection in South Asia. When I’m not deep in the archives or recharging my tea reserves, I’m out in nature or hunting for unique films that you’ve probably never heard of (don’t worry, I’ll tell you about them unsolicitedly). I’m also a big fan of dark humor and memes—so consider yourself warned. My toxic trait? I’ll recommend you movies until you start avoiding me in the hallway. See you in the office-or on the run from my movies! (No one gets away…) 😉

Hi, My name is Ebere Christopher. I am from Nigeria. I am currently a second year Master’s student of Peace Mediation and Conflict Research at Åbo Akademi University, Vaasa Campus. I am an Åland Islands Peace Institute’s Autumn(September) 2023 Research Intern. My research focus is on Domestic Violence and Its Psychological Concomitants. My intention is to research on how peace eludes homes and the health effects on the victims. During my internship, I will assist and participate in an E-Course titled; “Territorial Autonomy as a Resource for Diversity and Conflict Resolution.” I am optimistic that I would learn more about how a peaceful society should be during my internship with the institute. Thank you.

My name is Karolina Lax and I will work as media- and event intern during spring 2023. I am originally from Vaasa but am studying in Turku and have recently begun my last year of the Master’s Degree Programme in International Law and Human Rights at Åbo Akademi University. I’ll be assisting in the preparations and follow up of the Kastelholms talks on peace during my internship, as well as other tasks regarding information. The internship at the Åland Islands Peace Institute will give me a possibility to work with the subjects