Katri Pynnöniemi is a professor at the University of Helsinki (Aleksanteri-institute) and holds Mannerheim Chair of Russian Security Studies. The joint professorship between the University of Helsinki and the National Defense University was established in August 2017. Pynnöniemi's responsibilities include development of research on Russian security policy at the University of Helsinki and at the National Defense University. Her research work is integrated with the National Defence University Russia Research group's research agenda.