New Dean Appointed at the Faculty of Theology and Social Sciences
- By: Tone Steen Sandberg
- Published: May 8th 2026.
“I am very pleased with this appointment. Professor Mika Vähäkangas brings with him an impressive international network and extensive leadership experience from leading Finnish and Swedish university environments. He will therefore provide important impulses for the faculty and contribute significantly to VID’s further development as a university,” says Rector Bård Mæland.
Vähäkangas has broad experience in research, education and academic leadership, with particular scholarly expertise in Global Christianity and African Studies. He comes from the position of Director of Research at the Polin Institute for Theological Research at Åbo Akademi University, where he has built up the institute over the past five years. He also leads a major European research collaboration funded through HERA/CHANSE.
He is already well acquainted with VID through extensive academic collaboration and work as an external expert.
“Having been involved in theological education and World Christianity throughout my career, I feel enthusiastic and privileged being able to join a community with a strong tradition and practice in it. I look forward to cooperate with the entire VID community at a time of significant step forward through the university accreditation process,” says Mika Vähäkangas.
About Mika Vähäkangas
Mika Vähäkangas holds a PhD in Systematic Theology from the University of Helsinki and has a research profile in Mission Studies and African studies. In recent years, he has also worked extensively on the relationship between theology and social anthropology.
He has previously served as Professor of Mission Studies and Ecumenics at Lund University, has held positions at the University of Helsinki, and has had a central academic leadership role at Makumira University College / Tumaini University in Tanzania.
Vähäkangas has held a number of national and international positions, including Board Member of the Finnish Evangelical Lutheran Mission, President of the International Association for Mission Studies (IAMS), and he is Extraordinary Professor at Stellenbosch University, South Africa.