At the Department of Education Sciences, Lund University offers subject teacher education programmes and courses in teaching and learning in higher education for teaching staff at the University. Research in education sciences is also conducted here, covering areas such as school, learning and higher education. The department is now pleased to welcome two new professors in the field.
Mona Holmqvist is a professor of education sciences, specialising in research on schools and the teaching profession. She completed her doctoral studies at Lund University in 1995 and was appointed as an associate professor in 2006. In addition to her research, she has taught at various universities at all levels, primarily in teacher education and in freestanding courses on special educational needs, focusing on autism. This spring, she is the initiator of the new seminar series: Higher Seminars in Education Sciences, aimed at anyone interested in developing their teaching.
“It is self-evident that there is a well-developed scientific basis for teaching-related subjects at Lund University, but it is not so certain that everyone bases their approach to teaching on equally scientific grounds. We need an active discussion on how we can incorporate existing research in education sciences to improve our teaching and education at different levels, with the aim providing our students and pupils with the best possible conditions,” she says.
Katarina Mårtensson is Lund University's first professor of education sciences specialising in research on higher education. She is the director of doctoral studies for education sciences and teaches courses in teaching and learning in higher education at the Division for Higher Education Development, AHU. Her research focus has included university teaching staff members’ conditions for professional development in relation to their teaching and educational commitment, academic leadership and collegiality.
“I am extremely honoured and proud to have been awarded Lund University's first professorship in education sciences specialising in research on higher education. During my 25 years of involvement in higher education development at the University, I have observed changes in both the higher education practices within the University, the theoretical perspectives and the international research field of “academic development” in which I am rooted. The world is changing, conditions for higher education are changing, student groups are changing, and understanding how this affects higher education is at the core of the research within my field,” says Katarina Mårtensson.