With close to 300 colleagues and around 5000 students, the newly formed Department of Teaching and Learning is one of the largest at Stockholm University. This presents many possibilities but also some challenges.

The new department is lead by the previous Heads of Department for the now conjoined Department of Language Education (ISD), Department of Mathematics and Science Education (MND) and Department of Humanities and Social Sciences Education (HSD). Who are they and how do they view their new mission?

 

Anna Chryssafis - Head of Department

Head of Department at ISD since 2017, previously also Deputy and Assistant Head of Department. Extensive experience in teacher education, as Director of Studies, Programme Director and Commissioner in various preparations within the teacher educations at Stockholm University.

Senior lecturer in Teaching and Learning Modern Languages. Research interests in language teaching, language development and language learning.

 

Tony Hansson - Deputy Head of Department

Head of Department at MND since 2020. Previously Director of Division for Chemical Physics at Fysikum and Assistant Director of Studies with responsibilities towards teacher education. Served as Commissioner in various preparations and programme councils in teacher education.

Professor of Chemical Physics. Research interest directed towards basic molecular processes such as those relevant to combustion of biomass and transformation of CO₂ to fuels or other useful chemicals.

 

Ulrika von Schantz - Assistant Head of Department

Head of Department at HSD since 2019, previously also Deputy Head of Department and Director of Studies. Served as Commissioner in the council for the Faculty of Humanities as well as Department Representative in the board of CeUL.

Senior lecturer in Applied Drama. Research interests in Teaching and Learning in the Arts, focusing on drama and theater.

What possibilities can you see in our new department?

– Above all, we see new interesting collaborations in both education and research. New colleagues and extended contact surfaces give a broader and more creative base for discussions, which will surely have positive effects for teacher education as well as research education. Strategic considerations and more resources make it possible to coordinate the field of Teaching and Learning.

– The fact that the various research environments in Teaching and Learning can benefit from a new closeness make it possible to reinforce our stance in research. A comprehensive department of Teaching and Learning will also be an obvious recipient for external interest, nationally as well as globally.

– Last but not least, there will be an improvement in clarity for students, as we can now offer teacher education from primary school to high school level within the same department.

What are the greatest challenges?

– Developing organisation structure to make the new department become and be regarded as comprehensive is a massive but exciting challenge. Our ambition is to create a coherent department while simultaneously maintaining and developing our existing operation and subject areas.

What is your view of your role as leaders?

– The primary objective of the Department Management is to clarify the mission and goals of the operation, but other colleagues also have a responsibility. It is crucial that we remain responsive to different aspects and that all department colleagues are given the opportunity to develop according to the needs of the department. As Heads of Department, we need to be present and observe possibilities and potential in our colleagues.

– We are looking forward to creating a strong department where research and education have the potential to grow and develop, in a workplace where colleagues thrive.