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Honorary Doctor Builds Bridges Between Europe's Educational Researchers

Published

23 October 2024

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At the start of the EU collaboration, Professor Martin Lawn took the initiative to create a European research network in educational sciences. Now, he is appointed as an honorary doctor at the Faculty of Education at the University of Gothenburg.

As the founder of the *European Educational Research Journal* and the first General Secretary of the European Educational Research Association (EERA), Martin Lawn has played a crucial role in the development of educational science in Europe. His research spans teachers' work and development, educational policy, the history of educational science, and comparative education research.

The Transformation of Education in Europe

Throughout his long career, he has shown a particular interest in how education in Europe has changed and developed.
– When EERA started in the 1990s, the EU was something entirely different than it is today. We tried to understand what was happening and how the landscape was changing, says Martin Lawn, professor at the University of Edinburgh.

Building Bridges Between Researchers

A central part of Martin Lawn’s work has been building bridges between researchers from different countries.
– The most rewarding thing has been all the friendships that have developed over the years. When you find good colleagues, it's not just about research but also about creating something together," he says.

Collaboration with the University of Gothenburg

Martin Lawn has collaborated for many years with researchers at the University of Gothenburg, especially in European studies where education, inclusion, and governance have been key focus areas.
– It is important to study education from a transnational perspective to understand how ideas, people, and practices move across borders.

Education Governed by Data

In recent years, he has become interested in how measurable data and statistics influence education systems.
– In England, education is now entirely governed by statistics and metrics. This is problematic because few truly understand the numbers, yet important decisions are still based on them, he explains.
As a researcher, Martin Lawn is driven by a strong curiosity and encourages new researchers to dare to follow their passions.
– Expectations from others can be limiting. You have to feel that you are contributing to something meaningful, not just fulfilling the institution’s requirements."

Nurturing Curiosity and Critical Thinking

The motivation for this year’s honorary doctorate states that with his broad experience and methodological expertise, Martin Lawn contributes to the Faculty of Education's research on teacher education and the organization of educational science from a comparative and historical perspective. His extensive publications have influenced researchers worldwide, especially at the University of Gothenburg, where he has promoted international publishing and the development of research networks connected to EERA over the years.
– It is a great honor to be named an honorary doctor at the University of Gothenburg. My hope is that the university will continue to be a place where curiosity and critical thinking are cherished. These are fundamental to all good research, says Martin Lawn.

The motivation for the honorary doctorate

Professor Martin Lawn, from the University of Edinburgh, UK, is a distinguished European scholar in the field of Educational Sciences. His research encompasses teachers’ work and development, educational policy, the history of Educational Sciences, comparative education, and the Europeanization and globalization of education.
His extensive publications have been influential and of importance for numerous researchers worldwide, not the least for researcher at the University of Gothenburg. Martin Lawn was the Founding Editor of the European Educational Research Journal and the first Secretary General of the European Educational Research Association (EERA).
Through his work, he has made significant contributions to the intellectual and social organization of Educational Sciences. He has thereby provided a platform for the researchers at the Faculty of Education at University of Gothenburg to publish internationally and to establish research networks associated to EERA as well as other related activities. During a long period, he has collaborated with researchers at the Faculty of Education, particularly through European studies where educational inclusion and politics of categorization were intertwined with educational governing and policy making.
With his broad experience and methodological knowledge, Martin will contribute to the development of the faculty’s research on teacher education and the organization of Educational Sciences in a comparative and historical perspective.

Area

Education and learning