Bildung in education and society
Short description
Within the research theme Bildung in education and society (BESt), the focus is on adult education in a broad sense, and on Bildung and teaching and learning in formal and informal settings. A primary interest concerns the free and open search for knowledge that characterizes Bildung and self-education in a democratic society. In addition, the research interests include studies of lifelong learning and continued education in different settings.
About the research theme
Researchers involved in BESt conduct research in a range of intersecting fields in the area of adult education. The research interests include voluntary and continued education within the broad range of institutions that are referred to as “folkbildning” in the Swedish context, and issues addressed concern lifelong learning, professional and workplace learning, and teaching and learning in higher education. Ongoing research projects include studies of the transition of folk high schools to digital teaching to reach new groups and to cope with the pandemic, democratic pedagogy in the context of adult education, folkbildning within the Swedish sports movement, and research on the role and responsibility of leaders working in civil society with activities aimed at young people. The uniqueness of different traditions and ideals of Bildung is also explored within the theme, for instance with respect to the role and function of higher education in contemporary society. In this sense, the research theme represents a continuation of the interest in folkbildning and Bildung as educational ideals, which has characterized the University of Gothenburg since it was founded in 1891.
National and international collaboration
BESt participates in the PhD School for Folk High School teachers, an externally funded activity conducted in collaboration with Jönköping University and Linköping University. Researchers connected to the theme collaborate with local, regional and national actors in adult and continuing education such as Västra Götalands Bildningsförbund, Folkbildningsrådet, Riksidrottsförbundet, Studieförbunden i samverkan and Rörelsefolkhögskolorna (RIO) as well as other institutions in civil society, for example Fryshuset.
The members of the research theme have extensive contacts and collaborations with researchers, research programmes and institutes nationally as well as internationally. These networks include Encell - National center for lifelong learning, Jönköping University; European Bildung Network; FHS - The Swedish National Defense College; Mimer - National program for public education research, Linköping University; RISE - Research Institute of Sweden and with researchers at Åbo Akademi University, Columbia University and the University of Cambridge.
Colloquium and seminar
BESt currently organizes one colloquium, one seminar and one study circle.
Bildung, Teaching and Lifelong Learning
The colloquium Bildung, Teaching and Lifelong Learning hosts seminars on core pedagogical issues such as folkbildning, informal education and learning, adult education, vocational education, higher education, teaching design, educational design and educational psychology. The aim of the colloquium is to be an arena for developing knowledge about education, learning and teaching in informal as well as formal contexts. The primary focus in on processes of Bildung in contemporary society.
The colloquium is led by professor Johan Söderman, and PhD student Hans-Åke Höber.
Adult learning and Bildung
The seminar Adult learning and Bildung is an internal work forum for reading, reviewing and discussing texts, manuscripts and research applications, where doctoral students and researchers participate. The seminar is led by professor Johan Söderman.
Study circle
Another ongoing activity is a study circle centered around the theme of teaching and this activity is open to all students and employees at the university. The aims are:
- ..to be a context within university that discusses international research on teaching.
- ..to contribute to broadening the research-based knowledge about teaching by making room for different traditions, perspectives and approaches which are underrepresented in Swedish educational science, for example educational psychology, evidence-based teaching, cognitive science and instructional design.
- ..to be a shared university arena for concrete pedagogical development based on international research on teaching
- ..to be an open and inclusive context for discussions on issues of teaching and learning between students and staff as well as between different categories of staff at the university
The study circle is led by professor Jonas Linderoth
Annual conferences
The Nordic Popular Education Research Conference
May 21st – 22nd 2025 at Nordiska folkhögskolan
Call for papers
Democracy and Folkbildning
The annual one-day conference on Democracy and Folkbildning is attended by representatives of institutions engaged in regional folkbildning activities as well as by staff and students at the university. The conference is organized as a collaboration between GU, VGB and Föreningen för Folkbildningsforskning. In connection to the conference, a seminar is held for doctoral students linked to the research theme.
Contact: Hans-Åke Höber, PhD student.