Dr Kaisu Koski
Associate Professor of Art and Design
Summary
I am a cross-disciplinary artist with a background in performance, film, and biological materials. My work focuses on the climate crisis, multispecies relationships, and the art-science methodology. I received a Doctor of Arts degree from the University of Lapland and hold an MA from the Amsterdam School of the Arts. I am a former recipient of the Academy Research Fellowship of the Academy of Finland.
About
I am a cross-disciplinary artist with a background in performance, film, and biological materials. My work focuses on the climate crisis, multispecies relationships, and the art-science methodology. I've previously conducted fellowships in medical schools in North America and Europe and developed films for medical curricula on topics such as vaccine hesitancy and breaking bad news. My scholarly output has been published in journals such as Leonardo, Simulation in Healthcare, and the Journal of Bioethical Inquiry. My work has been exhibited and performed in gallery shows and theaters in over 25 countries and received multiple awards in the film festival circuit. These include venues such as Künstlerhaus Mousonturm, Lawndale Art Center of Houston, WHO/UNAIDS, Estonian Museum of Applied Arts, UNESCO Art&Science, Czong Institute for Contemporary Art, and COP27.
I have received grants from organizations such as the Academy of Finland, the Amsterdam Fund for the Arts, and the Portuguese National Science Foundation. I serve as an expert evaluator in the European Commission Horizon Programme and UKRI. In 2020, I initiated the Citizen Surgery Collective, an interdisciplinary practice-based research group consisting of artists, critical posthumanists, and anthropologists. Our work concerns surgical literacy, sensory skills acquisition, and the relationship between (non)human animal bodies and food.
Teaching
College of Social Sciences and Arts
Research
Multispecies relationships, Climate crisis, Vegan studies
Current Collaborations
Citizen Surgery Collective with Noémie Soula and Anne van Veen
Nocturnal Multispecies Relationships with Nick Dunn, Lancaster University
Publications
Journal articles
Koski, K. (2024). Picnic methodology: rethinking multispecies relationships through alfresco meals. Human Geography: a new radical journal. http://doi.org/10.1177/19427786241240397
Koski, K., & Dunn, N. (2024). Introducing a night-blind peer-review: Palpating in the dark. Journal of Imaginary Research, 9, 11-12.
Koski, K. (2023). Challenging animal-based food systems: Citizen Surgery on vegan body simulators. RUUKKU - Studies in Artistic Research, (20). http://doi.org/10.22501/ruu.2025537
Koski, K. (2022). Permafrost refreeze: the reindeer factor. Journal of Embodied Research, 5 (1). http://doi.org/10.16995/jer.8837
Koski, K. (2021). Citizen Surgery: a framework for uncanny operations. Leonardo, 54 (6), 665-666. http://doi.org/10.1162/leon_a_02152
Koski, K., & Ostherr, K. (2021). Ambiguity and uncertainty in 'breaking bad news' simulation: lessons from standardized patients' different personality type. RHiME, 8, 75-82. https://www.rhime.in/ojs/index.php/rhime/article/view/471
Koski, K., & Ostherr, K. (2020). "I Guess I Didn't Like That Word Unfortunately": Standardized Patients' Unscripted Techniques for Training Medical Students. Simulation in Healthcare, Publis. http://doi.org/10.1097/SIH.0000000000000519
Koski, K., & Holst, J. (2020). Conversations on Art–Science Collaboration and Vaccine-Hesitancy. Imaginations: Journal of Cross-Cultural Image Studies/revue d'études interculturelle de l'image, 11 (2). http://doi.org/10.17742/image.in.11.2.5
Koski, K., Lehto, J.T., & Hakkarainen, K. (2019). Physician self-disclosure and vaccine-critical parents׳ trust: Preparing medical students for parents׳ difficult questions. Health Professions Education, 5 (3), 253-258. http://doi.org/10.1016/j.hpe.2018.09.005
Koski, K., & Holst, J. (2018). Interdisciplinary Dialogue on Vaccine Hesitancy: Developing Trust and Shifting Stereotypes. Journal of Clinical Research & Bioethics, 09 (01). http://doi.org/10.4172/2155-9627.1000320
Koski, K., Lehto, J.T., & Hakkarainen, K. (2018). Simulated Encounters With Vaccine-Hesitant Parents: Arts-Based Video Scenario and a Writing Exercise. Journal of Medical Education and Curricular Development, 5, 238212051879025. http://doi.org/10.1177/2382120518790257
Koski, K., & Holst, J. (2017). Exploring Vaccine Hesitancy Through an Artist–Scientist Collaboration. Journal of Bioethical Inquiry, 14 (3), 411-426. http://doi.org/10.1007/s11673-017-9798-5
Koski, K., Heyning, F., & Zwijnenberg, R. (2016). Collaborative meaning-making in arts-based research: data interpretation with an artist, a physician, and an art historian. Art/Research International: A Transdisciplinary Journal, 1 (1), 234. http://doi.org/10.18432/r2mw28
Koski, K. (2014). Mapping the female reproductive system: Arts-based inquiry of medical students’ anatomy drawings. Studies in Material Thinking, 10. https://www.materialthinking.org/sites/default/files/papers/SMT_V10_01_Kaisu%20Koski_0.pdf
Koski, K. (2014). Anatomical Self-Portraits as Fieldwork: Observations, Improvisations, and Elicitations in the Medical School. Journal for Artistic Research, (6). http://doi.org/10.22501/jar.56534
Koski, K. (2013). As if the patient were in the classroom: Video-based enquiry into the absent body in medical education. Journal of Applied Arts & Health, 4 (2), 207-222. http://doi.org/10.1386/jaah.4.2.207_1
Koski, K. (2012). Ethics and data collection in arts-based inquiry: Artist-researcher embedded in medical education. International Journal of the Creative Arts in Interdisciplinary Practice. International Journal of the Creative Arts in Interdisciplinary Practice.
Koski, K. (2011). Art portraying medicine. Journal of Research Practice, 7 (11). http://jrp.icaap.org/index.php/jrp/article/view/259/235
Koski, K. (2011). Kunst als een platform voor ethische discussie. Tijdschrift voor Medisch Onderwijs, 30 (3), 106-108. http://doi.org/10.1007/s12507-011-0024-x
Koski, K. (2009). Taiteellista tutkimusta lääketieteestä: taiteilija valkotakissa. KIDE, 2.
Koski, K. (2002). Meta-taideteos Väitöskirjana. Kulttuurintutkimus, 19 (4), 50-51.
Conference papers
Koski, K. (2021). HUG. Creativity and Cognition. http://doi.org/10.1145/3450741.3464392
Weijdom, J., & Koski, K. (2015). Media and performance laboratory: learning by doing, making by playing, sharing by performing. ISEA 2015 Proceedings, 1031-1032. https://www.isea-archives.org/docs/2015/proceedings/ISEA2015_proceedings.pdf
Koski, K. (2011). Dialogues between art, medicine and research. In Arlander, A. (Ed.) CARPA 2 colloquium on Artistic Research in Performing Arts, (pp. 119-126). Uniarts Helsinki: https://taju.uniarts.fi/handle/10024/6979
Koski, K. (2005). Media Figures in a Performative Space. In Salmi, E., & Lantto, J. (Eds.) Cumulus: The Zone: an area of transition, Utrecht Netherlands, (pp. 38-42). University of Art and Design Helsinki
Koski, K. (2003). Non-linear Storytelling in an Environmental Installation. UIAH Publications F25, 45-53.
Book chapters
Koski, K. (2010). Performing an Avatar: Second Life Onstage. In Mapping Intermediality and Performance. Amsterdam University Press
Theses / Dissertations
Koski, K. (2007). Augmenting Theatre. Engaging With the Content on Intermedial Stages of Performances and Installations. (Doctoral thesis). Supervised by Eversmann, P., & Timonen, E.
Artefacts
Koski, K., & Van Dierendonck, R. (2022). Hand-Holding Gloves. [Paper, plastic tubes and pouches, arduino circuit boards].
Koski, K. (2022). Interspecies picnic. [Digital photograph/Hahnemühle paper/Kappa mount].
Koski, K. (2021). HUG. [Installation/Photograph].
Koski, K. (2015). Injection Simulator. [Installation].
Exhibitions
Koski, K. (2020). Rehearsals for empathy. [Film, video installation, installation]. Lawndale Art Center, Houston.
Koski, K. (2019). Simulated patient. [Film]. Kunsthalle Turku, Finland.
Koski, K. (2015). Living anatomy. [Photo, installation, film]. Art Center Mältinranta, Tampere.
Performances
Koski, K., Soula, N., van Veen, A., & Harris, A. (2021). Clinical Dinner: A Virtual Citizen Surgery Training Session. Making and Doing session
Koski, K., Harris, A., & Schrier, B. (2022). Training the Senses: Operation Mango. Marres House for Contemporary Culture, Maastricht, Netherlands Performative workshop.
Images
Koski, K. (2018). Theory of Illness #1-4. [Premium Fine Art Prints, Forex Mount].
Koski, K. (2017). Syringe Sequence #1-2. [Photographs].
Koski, K. (2013). Living anatomy. [Digital C-prints, Diasec mount].
Media
Koski, K., Soula, N., Van Veen, A., & Harris, A. (2023). Citizen Surgery Research Kitchen. Festival Cinéma et Cuisine, Locronan, France
Koski, K. (2023). BoneCracker. [Film]. Vesuvius International Film Festival, Italy
Koski, K. (2022). City Reindeer. [Film]. Inheritance – The Environmental Film Festival
Koski, K. (2022). DermaBread. [Digital Video 4K]. Academia Film Olomouc
Koski, K., Soula, N., Van Veen, A., & Harris, A. (2021). Lunchtime Surgery Class. [Film]. Semi-Finalist at BIDEODROMO International Experimental Film and Video Festival, Bilbao
Koski, K. (2020). Rehearsals for Empathy. [Film]. Science on Screen Film Festival, Galway Ireland
Koski, K. (2019). Standardized Synchronized. [Film (4K). Duration 12’25”]. AVANCA Film Festival, Portugal
Koski, K. (2017). Scenes of disclosure. [Film (HD), 23’06”]. https://vimeo.com/227863178
Koski, K. (2017). Conversations with vaccine-critical parents. [Film (HD) 16’40”]. https://vimeo.com/217632310
Koski, K. (2014). Not to scale at all. [Animation]. Estonian Museum of Applied Arts, Tallinn. Curated exhibition Rhizope
Koski, K. (2013). Four lessons in anatomy. [Film (HD)]. Medical History Museum, Gothenburg
Koski, K. (2012). Preclinical body. [Film (HD)]. Official Selection of the SCINEMA Film Festival, Canberra
Musical compositions
Koski, K., & Dunn, N. (2024). Exit Song. [Music video].
Presentations
Koski, K. (2024). Picnic Methodology. Presented at: Exploring Human-Animal & Multispecies Relations: Risk Taking in Research Methods, University of Brighton
Koski, K., & Dunn, N. (2024). Pied Piper and Endangered Rats. Presented at: Sheffield Animal Studies Research Centre Conference (ShARC Tales 4), University of Sheffield
Koski, K. (2024). Arts-based Research on Vaccine-hesitancy. Presented at: Vaccine hesitancy in Europe: VAX-TRUST Final Conference, Tampere University, Finland
Dunn, N., & Koski, K. (2023). Climate Crisis in the Shadows: Rethinking Our Relationships with Nocturnal Kin. Presented at: Taboo – Transgression – Transcendence in Art & Science (TTT), Valletta, Malta
Koski, K. (2023). Permafrost Refreeze. Presented at: UK Arctic Science conference, Cambridge
Koski, K. (2022). Science Meets Art in Snow Research. Presented at: National Snow Seminar, Finnish Meteorological Institute
Koski, K. (2022). Permafrost Refreeze: The Reindeer Factor. Presented at: TRANSGENERATIVES2030, Nancy, France
Koski, K. (2022). Art+Science Climate Crisis Research.
Koski, K. (2021). Rehearsals for Empathy. Presented at: Health Humanities Consortium International Conference: Crisis and Community: The Role of Health Humanities
Koski, K. (2019). Arts-based research and medical education. Presented at: Ethics and Knowledge about Health and Illness, University of Turku
Koski, K. (2019). Vaccine-hesitancy. Presented at: Health Psychology Days, Helsinki
Koski, K. (2019). Art of Medical Education. Presented at: Workshop Art & Medicine: Skilling the Senses, Utrecht
Koski, K. (2019). Art-Medicine Dialogue. Presented at: Open Ethics Forum, Joensuu Finland
Koski, K. (2018). Simulating "breaking bad news" scenario in medical education. Presented at: Narrative Matters, Enschede
Koski, K. (2018). Vaccine hesitancy and a ‘natural way of living’. Presented at: GREEN, Copenhagen
Koski, K. (2018). Rehearsals for Empathy: Arts-based Research on Medical Education. Presented at: Narrative Medicine Program, Houston
Koski, K. (2017). Scenes of Disclosure film screening and talk. Presented at: Health Humanities Consortium, Houston
Koski, K. (2015). Arts-based research on medical education. Presented at: Theorizing the Body in Health and Medicine, Maastricht
Koski, K. (2012). Representation of the body in medical education: An arts-based inquiry. Presented at: AMEE International Association for Medical Education, Lyon
Koski, K. (2006). The body in technologically augmented theatrical environments. Presented at: IFTR International Federation for Theatre Research Conference, Helsinki
Koski, K. (2005). Mixed Realities: Interactive Performance Environments. Presented at: IFTR Scenography Working Group Conference, Amsterdam
Koski, K. (2004). Mediated Theatre: Movement in Reactive Environments. Presented at: Consciousness Reframed; Qi and Complexity, Beijing
Koski, K. (2003). Organism-Environment System Theory in Interactive Installations. Presented at: Cross-overs in Audiovisual Arts and Interactive Media, Helsinki
Koski, K. (2003). Non-linear storytelling in an environmental installation system. Presented at: International Nonlinear Science Conference, Vienna
Koski, K. (2002). New Media And Theater: An Intelligent Stage. Presented at: Crossroads in Cultural Studies, Tampere
Posters
Koski, K., Lehto, J.T., & Hakkarainen, K. (2017). Practicing for a dialogue with vaccine-hesitant parents: Pilot-testing an arts-based video case. Presented at: AMEE International Association for Medical Education, Helsinki, 2017
Other activities
I serve as an expert evaluator in the European Commission Horizon Programme and UKRI, and a reviewer for several journals. I have also served as an external assessor of vivas and research degrees in organizations such as Drew University and MMU. I am an Adjunct Professor of Arts-based Research at Tampere University.
Postgraduate supervision
Director of Studies for:
Roland van Dierendonck: Becoming Microbial - Sensing Microbes Inside and Outside of Us
Kuang-Yi Ku: Queering Anatomy - Microbial Migration and Unstable Body Borders
Completed in 2019. Lisa Erdman: Performing false hope: Ethical outcomes of fictitious pharmaceutical advertising as a public art intervention. Department of Art, Aalto University, Finland.
Completed in 2020. Kim Plumley: Pharmacists as immunizers: increasing non-influenza adult immunization rates. Medical Humanities, Drew University, US.