Restart for higher education pedagogy – coordinator in place

In April 2025, a new agreement was made among the Faculties, which jointly finance the teaching and learning activities in higher education. Due to the financial situation of the university, a review was carried out which eventually led to a decision to reduce the level of funding. It was a major change for the unit, which previously had several employees and which, in addition to courses in teaching and learning in higher education, also offered pedagogical consultation and conducted research. 

"This has been a long and sometimes difficult process, especially for those who have had their main employment within the higher education pedagogical activities. This new organisation means that the focus of activities will be on courses in teaching and learning in higher education," said Åsa Söderlind, Dean of Faculty for the Faculty of Librarianship, Information, Education and IT. 

A part of core activites

Teaching and learning in higher education will continue to be part of core activities, with the same expectation of research connections, as all other activities at the university. Organisationally, the assignment as coordinator will be placed centrally at A3. Susanne Strömberg Jämsvi will continue to work full-time with higher education pedagogy, where the coordinator assignment is part of the position. 

"Even though the Faculties are currently spending less money on higher education pedagogy, it is important that the university continues to offer opportunities for pedagogical professional development. This applies to both newly hired and experienced teaching staff," said Susanne Strömberg Jämsvi, who also noted that pedagogical professional development can take place in different ways, but that this year, it will mainly be offered through courses.

The Council for Higher Education Pedagogy

For long-term operational planning and dialogue between representatives of higher education teaching and learning and the rest of the university, there is now the Council for Higher Education Pedagogy, which meets at least four times a year. In addition to the coordinator, this includes representatives of all the Faculties (Dean of Faculty or a representative), Professional Services, the university's boards, the University Library, and the Student Union. With broad support in the organisation, Åsa Söderlind is positive that the council has now been given a fresh start. 

"We have had a good first meeting, with many suggestions and ideas that we can work on. A forum is needed to capture the needs of the Faculties, among other things," said Åsa Söderlind. 

High time to register for spring courses

During the year, a number of courses will be offered for teaching staff, mainly qualifying courses in higher education pedagogy (BHU, 10 weeks), including English language courses, but also qualifying doctoral supervisor training for associate professorship/docenture qualifications and a freestanding course on AI in teaching. Due to the radical change in operations, most of the courses will be given in the autumn.

Courses that are planned to be given during the year (subject to minor changes):

Spring 2026
Pedagogical development work, 4 weeks (part of BHU)
Introduction to student learning in higher education, 3 credits (credit transfer within BHU)
Autumn 2026 
Introduction to higher education pedagogy, 4 weeks (part of BHU)
Digital aids in virtual and physical teaching environments, 2 weeks (included in BHU/freestanding)
Supervision of independent projects at the Bachelor’s and Master’s level, 2 weeks (included in BHU/freestanding)
Supervising doctoral students, 4 weeks (qualification for associate professorship/docenture)
AI as part of teaching – from the perspective of academic integrity, 4 weeks (freestanding, distance) 
Introduction to teaching and learning in higher education, 3 credits (transferred within BHU)

For those courses offered in spring 2026, it is high time to register. It is also possible to register for most of the autumn courses. Course dates, registration forms, and information about the responsible teacher can be found on the website for each course.

Contact 

If you have any questions about teaching and learning in higher education, please contact the Coordinator for Higher Education Pedagogy, Susanne Strömberg Jämsvi. 

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Professional development in teaching and learning in higher education