Experience and achievements

Research

In my work within and outside the University of Iceland, I have devoted myself to the task of improving the learning spaces of children in school and leisure activities. After extensive administrative work in Reykjavik municipality, I chose an academic career to increase knowledge of children’s learning environments in school and after-school centers. As a researcher, I am passionate about shedding light on the different forces that shape the formal and informal learning of children and young people. My studies have highlighted that interdisciplinary cooperation is a key factor when it comes to children’s education and well-being. The same can be said about the field of education itself, which is in many ways an interdisciplinary discipline. In my work as dean of the School of Education, I have strived to nurture a research culture and promote research activities in the field of educational research. In recent years, I have gained a good insight into the diverse academic work of all schools, and I have been involved in central strategic planning for research infrastructure within the University of Iceland.

Various projects and achievements during my tenure as a dean:

Increased support for research: Recruitment of experts to support research and the new role of an academic research leader.
Purposeful improvement and quality work: Research self-evaluation used purposefully to revise the research framework and strengthen the field’s research culture.
Progress of educational research: University of Iceland was evaluated among the top universities in the world in educational sciences for the first time in 2019 and is now ranked among the top 401-500 universities in educational sciences.
Push for a special educational research fund established in 2021 based on a Nordic model.
International collaboration: Recruitment of international visiting professors and partnership with diverse international universities and institutions.
Doctoral program strengthened: Reorganization of the SoE doctoral programs following a review in 2021, such as a clearer support role of the Educational Research Institute, and regular meetings with supervisors and PhD students.
Nordic doctoral school: Membership of NORTED, a network of doctoral schools in the Nordic countries.
The Icelandic Youth Study: Conducted annually from 2021 in collaboration with the government and diverse partners, see website
Analysis of the PISA survey: Cooperation with the government, the Directorate of Education, the Association of Icelandic Municipalities and the Icelandic Teachers’ Association on the analysis of the PISA survey. A well-attended PISA seminar series planned for spring 2024 (see recordings on youtube) and a special publication on PISA by the Journal on Educational Research is underway.

Professional leadership and management

I have been a leader and manager for over two decades, both within Reykjavík municipality and the University of Iceland. As a leader, I work with my colleagues to create a shared vision and common goals, and I have ambitions to see people and faculties flourish and achieve success. I mobilize people to make an impact and believe it is important to promote academic democracy, as the University is not an ordinary company but a thriving academic society. As dean of the School of Education, I have purposefully promoted and established formal cooperation with a wide group of partners inside and outside the school, including the government, the Reykjavík municipality, the Icelandic Teachers’ Association, the Directorate of Education, other universities, domestic and international. This collaboration has opened up new opportunities for researchers, students, and staff, as well as increased the visibility of educational research and promoted community confidence in the School of Education.

I have great ambitions for the University of Iceland and believe it is urgent to seek all ways to promote and develop its multifaceted activities. My career has been characterized by bringing together a diverse group of people to promote necessary changes and innovation. I want to combine the efforts of staff in all academic fields to make a good university even better.

Various projects during my tenure as dean of the School of Education:

Purchase of Saga at the end of 2021 and the move of the School of Education to the main campus will be realized in the spring of 2025.
Increased funding: Doubling of independent income of the School of Education in the years 2019–2023.
Strategic planning and implementation of reforms: Utilization of HÍ26 policy for continuous improvement in the work of the School of Education.
Changes to the organizational chart of the School of Education and new unit set up to strengthen social impact and support professional development, innovation and the application of research.
Cooperation on teacher education: Implementation of six joint academic positions with other faculties within the University to strengthen cooperation on teacher education
Menntaflétta, professional development and learning community has reached thousands of teachers and educators.

Teaching and learning

I am passionate about mobilizing and empowering university students to lead progress in Icelandic society. As a university teacher, I believe it is extremely important to use diverse teaching and learning methods, and I want to engage university students to participate in the learning community. One of the rector’s most urgent tasks is to support students’ social activities and create the conditions for them to connect, work together and learn from each other. I have been involved in shaping different teaching formats, and the School of Education has been at the forfront of developing distance learning, flexible learning and diverse modes of study.

When I took over as dean of the School of Education in 2018, the number of teacher students had been decreasing annually for some time. It was urgent to reverse to respond to the serious shortage of teachers at all school levels. I am particularly proud of my participation in developing a national action plan to strengthen the teacher profession. However, it would never have happened without the close cooperation of our university staff with the government and a broad group of stakeholders in the implementation of a five-year initiative to increase the number of teachers. Paid internships were established for teacher students at all school levels, and new MT (Master of Teaching) study programs were established. The government offered special incentive grants for teacher students, and we at the School of Education created new pathways for experienced pre-school staff to enter our teacher education program. This project was very successful, and the number of registered teachers tripled between 2019 and 2023.

Learning and teaching during my tenure as dean of the School of Education:

Increase in the number of graduated teachers: Introduction of paid internships in the fifth year and Master of Teaching programs in 2020 to 2021.
Preschool teacher education: A changed teaching arrangement in the form of university mornings began in 2020.
Implementation of accreditation of prior learning at the university level – the first project of its kind at the university level in Iceland started at the School of Education, preschool teacher education, 2021.
Vocational diploma in Preschool Teacher Education organized for the first time nationwide in collaboration with the University of Akureyri in 2023.
Icelandic bridge for students with diverse linguistic and cultural backgrounds that aim to work in education, organized in partnership with the School of Humanities.
Funding from the government Cooperative Higher Education fund to develop the diploma program for people with intellectual disabilities.
New diploma course in social and emotional skills established in 2024.
New program in creative sustainability established in East Iceland in collaboration with Hallormsstaðaskóli from autumn 2025.

Social innovation

I face challenges with an open mind and keep my eyes open for the unexpected that appears when we see things from a new perspective. Sustainable solutions to complex challenges build on scientific knowledge and innovation, when people with different backgrounds and experiences work together. Innovation is necessary in order to develop new ways in science and technology, but also in the social sphere that shapes the lives of all of us. As a leader at the School of Education, I have placed great emphasis on initiating formal and informal cooperation with partners both inside and outside the university.

Emphasis and various new projects in recent years:

NýMennt: a new work unit in the field that builds bridges between researchers and education professionals with an emphasis on literacy, natural sciences (STEAM), innovation and teaching development, see website.
Menntahleðsla: implementation of short and practical online-courses for teachers and educators.
Education Innovation Center: Partnership with the City of Reykjavík and a group of partners, see website.
Artificial intelligence and education: Emphasis on education and collaborative projects on responsible use artificial intelligence in teaching and learning.
Educational technology and digital study materials: Cooperation with national and international partners to develop and explore how specific educational technology can benefit students and schools.
Diverse STEAM partnership projects with the School of Engineering and Natural Sciences and other stakeholders.
Collaborative project Enhance the future which entails that volunteers visit schools and share their stories to spark student´s interest in diverse career pathways.