We research the learning and teaching of mathematics in kindergarten, school and higher education from different perspectives and objectives.
The research group works strategically and long-term to consolidate and further develop a solid professional environment within mathematics didactics that is recognized nationally and internationally.
We have several projects that involve both national and international partners.
The group currently contributes significant research-based expertise to teacher education, further education of teachers and development of practice in schools in the region.
Current research projects:
Developing Human Rights Values in Mathematics Teacher Education: Education with and by Youth (ViMTE)
Contact: Yasmine Abtahi
The goal of the ViMTE-project is to develop theory and pedagogical methods to strengthen knowledge about ethics, human dignity, and democratic participation in mathematics education.
The Research Council of Norway (NFR) has allocated NOK 9.9 million for the project period 2023 to 2027.
Mathematical toolkit design North-South
Contact: Suela Kacerja (USN)
In this project, mathematics educators at USN, Western Norway University of Applied Sciences (HVL) and the University of Cape Town (UWC) collaborate to design research-based toolkits for teaching mathematics within society-related topics.
The project is financed through the UTFORSK program of the Directorate for Higher Education and Skills (HK-dir).
Mathematics Education in Indigenous and Migrational contexts: Storylines, Cultures and Strength-based Pedagogies (MIM)
Contact: Annica Andersson (USN)
In this project, research environments at USN, UiT Norway's Arctic University, Michigan State University (USA) and the University of New Brunswick (Canada) examine how different languages and cultures can hinder, support or challenge learning in mathematics.
The MIM project is financed through the FINNUT program of the Norwegian Research Council (NFR).
Migration in Mathematics Classrooms: Promoting intercultural dialogue in school mathematics (MMC)
Contact: Yasmine Abtahi (USN)
In this project researchers from USN, University of Bristol, University of Ottowa collaborate to study the impact of student migration on mathematics learning from the perspectives of students and teachers.
The MSC-project is supportd by the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada.
More information (migration-and-mathematics.com)
Social and political issues in mathematics education: a participatory research with secondary school teachers (SPME)
Contact: Yasmine Abtahi (USN)
Research areas in mathematics didactics:
Sociopolitical research in mathematics didactics
Contact: Annica Andersson, Yasmine Abtahi, Suela Kacerja, Beth Herbel-Eisenmann
- Human interaction in mathematics education contexts
- Mathematics and language(s), culture(s) and ethnomathematics
- Mathematics and sustainabilityResearch within the Socio-Political, as for example power, privilege and politics of mathematics learning, and Critical Mathematics Education
Ongoing and active projects within this research area:
- TRACE project: «Att spåra matematiklärarutbildningen i praktiken» Contact: Annica Andersson
- The Ethical and the critical responsibilities of mathematics educators
Contact: Yasmine Abtahi - Mathematics education and issues of social and ecological justice
Contact: Yasmine Abtahi and Annica Andersson - Teaching indices as mathematical models and as entry points to critical discussions - Design and research of a teaching toolkit to be used in teacher education Contact: Suela Kacerja
- Mathematical modelling in education in a critical perspective
Contact: Suela Kacerja - Fake news, news media and mathematics education
Contact: Suela Kacerja and Yasmine Abtahi - Tools for mathematics education and the Zone of Proximal Development
Contact: Yasmine Abtahi
Proof and argumentation
Contact: Andrea Hofmann
This research area focuses on the following aspects:
- Pupils' and teachers' work with mathematical reasoning, argumentation and proof
- The roles mathematical reasoning, argumentation and proof play in mathematics and in society
- Representations in mathematical reasoning, argumentation and proof
Mathematics didactics in kindergarten and beginner education
Contact: Siv Svendsen
This research area focuses on four aspects:
- Development of mathematical thinking and action in children aged 3-6
- Development of mathematical thinking and action in children in first to fourth grade
- Kindergarten teachers' orchestration of play-based mathematical learning activities
- Teachers' orchestration of play-based mathematical learning activities in grades one to four
