Specialisation of Research

The School of Educational and Behavioural Sciences has a strong research and development environment where pedagogical work has developed and is now well established. Our research is much successful, which is apparent in the great number of externally funded projects that concern different empirical studies within different fields of research that concern pedagogical activities as they are carried out in preschool, school, after-school and teacher training.

Our research questions mostly emerge in pedagogical practices instead of traditionally academic subjects. This entails an approach to theory and practices as each other’s prerequisites, which is contextualised in terms of education, teaching and learning at different levels in the educational system. All teachers/researchers of the School are invited to scheduled seminars where invited guests from other institutions may participate.

Teacher Training and Pedagogic Practices

Four interrelated fields of research constitute pedagogical work at the School of Education and Behavioural Sciences: 

• Specialisation in Teacher Training and Teacher Work 
• Didactics in Different School Subjects as well as in Preschool, Preschool Class and After-School Care
• Specialisation in Inclusion and Exclusion in Pedagogical Practices 
• Specialisation in Preschool and After-School Activities

These four specialisations have the overall theme Teacher Training and Pedagogic Practices.

Specialisation in Teacher Training and Teacher Work 

This specialisation draws on research relevant for teacher training as well as teachers’ work and working conditions in school and preschool.

Scientific leader: Professor Dennis Beach.

Specialisation in School Subject Didactics in School, Preschool, Preschool Class and After-School Care

This specialisation treats research and education mainly in Swedish and Mathematics didactics. All levels of the education system, from preschool to college, are of interest for this field.

Scientific leaders: Professors Lisbeth Åberg-Bengtsson and Gun Malmgren.

Specialisation in Inclusion and Exclusion in Pedagogical Practices

This specialisation treats issues in relation to the democratic assignment of school and preschool to meet the rights to education and care for all children. Foci are placed on pedagogical activities where inclusion constitutes means and goals and on processes that may result in excluding consequences. In these two contexts, issues of importance for special education are brought up.

Scientific leaders: Professors Bengt Persson and Julie Allan.

Specialisation in Preschool and After-School Activities

This specialisation deals with preschool and after-school activities as well as with research relevant for the field. Teacher training at University of Borås constitute pedagogical activities for young children and in after-school care, which motivates interest to be drawn to the research at the School as well as at other departments of the University.  

Scientific leader: Professor Marita Lindahl.

Learning and Management in Work and Education

The School of Education and Behavioural Sciences also conducts research specialised in learning and management in work life. This specialisation is focused on societal, organisational and individual strategies for learning and management in society and work life. The starting-point is management through assessments and governance through different implementing strategies. The consequences of different organisational and individual coping strategies are emphasised.

Leader: Lecturer Kristina Bartley