Education and Democracy

The research environment Education and Democracy brings together researchers who are working within curriculum theory, educational history, didactics and philosophy of education. A common hub is the interest in how education takes shape in different societal contexts and historical times, as well as the consequences that follow from this. Several extensive research projects are currently ongoing within the research environment (read more under the heading research projects).

In recent years, the research community has participated in and arranged a number of conferences, such as Nordiska läroplansteorikonferensen (the Nordic Curriculum Theory Conference) and Nordic Education in a Democratic Troublesome Time (in collaboration with the Nordic Council of Ministers). Furthermore, the environment has arranged several workshops: School Acts and Nineteenth Century Schooling (2017) and International workshop in Histories of Education (2017, 2018). The environment has rich international network connections and continuous exchange with researchers from other countries and an extensive publication rate, which includes monographs as well as scientific articles in national and international journals. Furthermore, the environment is closely related to the publication of the well-established research journal Education & Democracy - journal for didactics and education policy.

The members of the research environment are researchers and PhD-students, mainly in the subject of education, but also in related social science subjects. In total, the environment has some twenty active members. The research environment is managed by a steering group consisting of: Emma Arneback, Andreas Bergh, Christian Lundahl, Johannes Westberg and Matilda Wiklund.

The members of the research community are active in two research groups

History of the subject of pedagogy and education
The research group studies the history of the subject of pedagogy and education focusing on how knowledge is formed, disseminated as well as its consequences. Of particular interest is the knowledge production and reproduction that takes place between science, authorities and educational practitioners from preschool to higher education. The group is rooted in curriculum theory and curriculum history as well as in various forms of socio-material knowledge theory. Currently ongoing research projects shed light on the internationalisation of pedagogical science, the relationship between science and school authorities, the importance of educational statistics, ideas about the future, and more. The research group also houses a national graduate school in applied history of education.

The conditions and values ​​of education
The research group conduct studies focusing on political and moral values ​​of education in relation to educational policy shifts, changes in law and policy and media influence. Particular attention is paid to the ways in which these values ​​are formed and transformed in local practice and what this means for teachers' professional practices and relationships. The group has its roots in curriculum theory, didactics and philosophy of education. Research projects currently underway shed light on issues of school segregation, teachers' anti-racist actions, the juridification of education and the polarized debate in social media. Several of the members of the research group are part of the editorial board of the journal Education & Democracy.