Annikki Arolas research focuses on health and well-being in the aging population. She is particularly interested in solutions for promoting, maintaining, and supporting health in everyday life among older people in society. Annikki Arola has been part of multidisciplinary research centers such as Ageing and Health, AGECAP and Centre for Person-centered care, GPCC, at the University of Gothenburg. Additionally, she is affiliated as a post-doc alumnus to the SWEAH, the National Graduate School on Ageing and Health at Lund University. 

Arola has been affiliated with Umeå University as a postdoctoral researcher on a project focusing on fall prevention among people aged 65 and older. The project was based on co-creative research, in which a fall prevention motor-cognitive program was developed together with representatives of the target group, people living at home aged 65 or older. 
Annikki Arola is also involved in developing and co-creating projects connected to Arcada's Health Tech Hub, which serves as a learning and research environment where users, professionals, and stakeholders together test and develop health technology from a user perspective. 
Annikki Arola serves as a reviewer for scientific journals focusing on occupational science and occupational therapy, health promotion, aging, and rehabilitation.