Ragnhild Laird Iversen

I'm a researcher and lecturer at the Department of Culture, Religion and Social Studies at the University of South-Eastern Norway (USN). My main areas of teaching are religious education (RE) for Primary school teacher students and Early Childhood Education and Care teacher students. I'm particularly interested in children's perspectives, religious diversity, inclusive education, religion in a human rights perspective, and the developement of pedagogical approaches within RE. My Ph.D. project has the title "Enthusiasm and Aviodance. Children's navigation of Religion in ECEC". The PhD consists of four published articles analycing how children navigate religion in the context of Christmas preparations and meal time settings in a religiously diverse Norwegian kindergarten. My supervisors are associate professor Audun Toft (MF Norwegian School of Theology, Religion and Society ) and professor Geir Skeie (University of Stavanger). I have previously published articles about how street level bureaucrats deal with religious claims within the Norwegian welfare system, and about ECEC- teachers reflections of religiously related practices in the contect of ECECC. I participated in the group developing the so called Core Elements for RE in the national curriculum for primary and secondary school. I have also contributed as a co-author of seven text books for religious education in primary school, as well as seven instruction books for teachers. I participated regularly participate in public debate, and have published several op.eds. in Norwegian national newspapers (Morgenbladet, Dagbladet, Vårt Land, Dagsavisen, Klassekampen), as well as on radio, podcasts, and journals for the education sector.