Two New Professors in Education Sciences

At the Department of Education Sciences, Lund University offers subject teacher education programs and pedagogical courses 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 in education sciences, specializing 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 independent courses in special education 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.

"We need an active discussion on how we can incorporate existing research in education sciences to improve our teaching and education at different levels. All to provide our students and pupils with the best possible conditions." she says.

Katarina Mårtensson is Lund University's first professor in education sciences with a focus on research on higher education. She is the director of doctoral studies in education sciences and teaches courses in higher education pedagogy at the Department of Academic Development, AHU. Her research focus has included university teachers' conditions for professional development in relation to their teaching and educational commitment, academic leadership, and collegiality.

"I am extremely honored and proud to have been awarded Lund University's first professorship in education sciences with a focus on research on higher education. During my 25 years of involvement in academic development at LU, I have observed changes in both the pedagogical practices within the university and the theoretical perspectives and the international research field of 'academic development' to which I am anchored. 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." she says.