Adult Play with Character Toys

Researcher of toys, play, and playful learning, Katriina Heljakka (Doctor of Arts, PhD), is a visiting researcher at Turku School of Economics, Pori Unit, and Adjunct Professor in Entrepreneurship, specifically Playful learning. With two doctoral dissertations focusing on toys and play, conducted at Aalto University (2013) and the University of Turku (2024), she is an expert in toy and play-related research and cultures, designing and delivering playful learning interventions, toy-based exhibitions, and workshops in Finland and abroad. Previously, Heljakka has worked in the toy industry as a game designer and creative manager, a play expert in the non-profit sector, and a doctoral and postdoctoral researcher in projects funded by the Academy of Finland. Her research interests include the emerging toyification of culture, toy design, and the hybrid and transgenerational dimensions of play practices. Heljakka’s work on character toys, analog and digital games, playful environments, and playful learning has been featured widely in academic journals, books, and conference proceedings. Heljakka has received multiple research awards with colleagues and has participated in designing a playful space for a multidisciplinary research community. She is a long-time member of the International Toy Research Association (ITRA) and a Genius of Play ambassador for the Toy Industry Association.