Vili Lehdonvirta
Bios
"I work as a researcher at the Network Society research programme at Helsinki Institute for Information Technology, Finland. Since January 2010, I am a Visiting Scholar at the Interfaculty Initiative for Information Studies at the University of Tokyo.
In my research, I examine the social and economic impact of new information technologies, especially online games, social networks and mobile phones. My particular area of expertise is the materialistic side of digital environments: how people's behaviour is shaped by virtual currencies, game items and digital work.
I have advised over a dozen companies and public organizations in Europe, United States and Japan, including Rovio Mobile (Angry Birds), CCP Games (EVE Online), Sulake (Habbo) and the World Bank.
I am an Adjunct Professor of Economic Sociology at the University of Turku. I have a PhD in Economic Sociology from Turku School of Economics. I also studied computer science and management at Helsinki University of Technology and technology law at the National University of Singapore. Before my academic career, I worked as a game programmer." (http://vili.lehdonvirta.com/)
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See also: Virtual Economy Research Network