The focus of the research is formation, education and innovative learning processes in order to give present and future citizens of the society the prerequisites and abilities to meet and solve contemporary and future societal challenges. The specific knowledge contribution consists of results that can be interpreted, understood and used to contribute to social development by giving citizens the necessary conditions.

About the research environment

The research profile of the Department of School Development and Leadership is characterised by interdisciplinarity, societal engagement, active theory development, and a strong grounding in educational practice. Research at SOL integrates critical, relational, and inclusive perspectives, with particular emphasis on school development, leadership, special education, and vocational education and training. The research is closely linked to the department’s educational programmes and places knowledge, society, and the human being at its centre. A clear commitment to equity, democracy, and social justice permeates the department’s work.

The research organisation is led by the Director of Research and is based on collegial processes. The Departmental Research Council and the Higher Seminar serve as key arenas for critical thinking, open dialogue, and academic citizenship. Researchers at the department collaborate in evolving constellations at local, national, and global levels. SOL’s research environment is characterised by curiosity, openness, and engagement.

Research projects

Research in the environment is funded by Malmö University, the City of Malmö, external funders and national graduate schools.

Total hits: 10

Reserachers and doctoral students

Total hits: 31

RESE Advanced Seminars

The Advanced Seminar is a key forum for academic discussion organised by the department’s research group RESE (Research in Education and Special Education). At the seminar, external guests, RESE researchers, and doctoral students present and discuss various texts. The Advanced Seminar includes doctoral students’ planning, mid-term and final seminars. All interested parties are welcome.

A warm welcome to our seminars!

Seminars, autumn 2026

The ethical responsibility of relational pedagogy in a complex and uncertain world

Guest Professor Stewart Riddle, University of Southern Queensland, Australia, presents his and Andrew Hickey’s research and theoretical developments. This is followed by a “release party” where Stewart, Michael Wallengren Lynch and Ann-Louise introduce The Routledge International Handbook of Relational Pedagogy – an invitation to a global conversation.
Date and time: 2 September 2026, 13:15–16:00
Venue: OR:D477 or Zoom

Erfarenheter från bedömargrupper vid VR, Skolforskningsinstitutet, AFA och Forte (in Swedish)

Tuija Muhonen, Linda Palla and Vanja Lozic present.
Date and time: 15 September, 13:15–15:00
Venue: OR:D477 or Zoom

Rasismen i skolan: Blivande lärares berättelser och reflektioner (in Swedish)

Research seminar – empirical paper in an ongoing analysis phase. Osa Lundberg presents her study and preliminary findings from the project Rasismen i skolan: Blivande lärares berättelser och reflektioner. The seminar is designed as a methodological workshop in which we jointly conduct a group analysis of narrative accounts of everyday racism, such as microaggressions, ridicule, deficit perspectives, “us and them” divisions, stereotyping and norms of whiteness.
Date and time: 29 September, 13:15–15:00
Venue: OR:D477 or Zoom


ELD-seminarium (in Swedish)

Presentations and dialogue on ongoing research funded by the Faculty through ELD.
Date and time: 13 October, 13:15–15:00
Venue: OR:D477 or Zoom

Att ha prestation som centralt för hur nöjd man är med sig själv som person – när och under vilka omständigheter blir det ett problem? (in Swedish)

Anna Funke, Lecturer and Doctoral Student in Psychology (IDV, MAU), presents parts of her doctoral work on individuals whose sense of self-worth is strongly tied to performance (performance-based self-esteem). The research focuses on elite athletes, although most previous research has been conducted in school contexts. Several patterns appear to be shared across contexts, opening up broader applications and understandings. The presentation centres on an ongoing analysis within the thesis, exploring whether a particular type of group climate may serve as a protective factor for individuals with high levels of performance-based self-esteem. The discussion is linked to research from school settings.
Date and time: 3 November, 13:15–15:00
Venue: OR:D477 or Zoom

Hinder och möjligheter i folkhögskolors arbete med hälsa, delaktighet och framtidstro för unga vuxna med NPF (in Swedish)

Madeleine Sjöman, Anna Jobér and Lisa Hellström present results and insights from their recently completed project on folk high schools, funded by the Swedish National Council of Adult Education and the Swedish Agency for Participation.
Background: Research and reports repeatedly show that many individuals with neurodevelopmental conditions (NPF) have experienced schooling marked by difficulties, absenteeism and mental ill-health. We know that today’s compulsory and upper-secondary schools are environments where children and young people face high demands while accessibility is low and understanding is insufficient. This leads not only to an unsuccessful schooling experience but also to feelings of exclusion and failure, which in turn create further difficulties and ill-health. Folk high schools play a particularly important role here and are often highlighted as environments where individuals with NPF are given good conditions to succeed.

Through interviews with management, teachers and participants, as well as a survey among teachers and participants at folk high schools, we have examined obstacles and opportunities in their work on health, participation and future prospects for participants with NPF. We present results and lessons learned from our project, which we look forward to discussing with you. The report will be attached once finalised.
Date and time: 17 November, 13:15–15:00
Venue: OR:D477 or Zoom

Doing (and Disrupting) Nordic Whiteness: A Critical Ethnography of Lucia Pageant Practices in Swedish Preschools

Research seminar – empirical paper in an ongoing analysis phase. Osa Lundberg presents the article Doing (and Disrupting) Nordic Whiteness: A Critical Ethnography of Lucia Pageant Practices in Swedish Preschools. The presentation aims to discuss ongoing analyses and to receive collegial feedback on theoretical framing and ethnographic interpretation.
Date and time: 1 December, 13:15–15:00
Venue: OR:D477 or Zoom

ELD-seminarium – Tema: pedagogiskt ledarskap (in Swedish)

Date and time: 15 December, 13:15–15:00
Venue: OR:D477 or Zoom

Contact

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