Riikka Papunen

Riikka Papunen is an accomplished actor and artistic designer currently working at Tampereen Työväen Teatteri since January 2023. In addition, Papunen serves as an artistic mentor for Teatteri NEO, an initiative under Setlementti Tampere, aimed at supporting actors with learning disabilities. As a PhD researcher at the University of Tampere since January 2014, Papunen's doctoral research explores acting alongside colleagues with learning disabilities, with artistic contributions accepted as part of the thesis in 2016 and 2017. Papunen has also gained experience as a professional actor at Porin Teatteri from September 2019 to January 2022 and at Teatteri Siperia from January 2014 to December 2020. Papunen holds a Master of Arts in Acting from Tampere University, obtained in May 2011.