Sociology of Education

Photo: Micke Lundström

Sociology of Education examines the relationship between education, economy and politics as well as social classes and mobility. Sociology of Education also analyses the relationship between education and culture and its role to both preserve and change the existing society.

Sociology of Education broadly explores education, training, learning and upbringing in relation to other parts of society and pervasive societal processes, such as globalisation and changes in work life. A central focus within Sociology of Education research at the Department of Education is the intersection between students’ and teachers’ various assets and the prevailing order that governs the education system. Another central focus is the development and growth of educational institutions and the relationship between education and other parts of society, such as the worlds of politics, economics and culture. The foundation of Sociology of Education follow more general sociological and historical research traditions.

Contact

Mikael Börjesson or Ida Lidegran

The Swedish Centre for Studies of the Internationalisation of Higher Education (SIHE)

SIHE was established in the autumn of 2017 in order to coordinate, carry out and disseminate research and knowledge.

About SIHE

The majority of studies in Sociology of Education are based on two perspectives. Firstly, we explore educational strategies, i.e. how individuals and groups with different kinds of assets use the educational system. Secondly, we seek to understand the social world within which these strategies develop, i.e. the field of educational institutions. This field does not comprise academic institutions, schools and educational directions per se, but the system of relationships between and among them, the positions they adopt in relation to one another, and the historical development of those positions. A particular area of interest is the relationship between the "baggage" of pupils, students, and teachers (i.e. cultural capital and other assets) and the prevailing social and cultural order of the educational system. Another significant area of interest is the relationship between education and professional careers within distinct social fields, for example economic, political or cultural fields.

Networks and collaborations

Seminars and other events

The Higher Seminar in Sociology of Education

The Higher Seminar in Sociology of Education series is a place for PhD students to present dissertation drafts as well as for master students in the Master's Programme in Sociology of Education to defend their theses.

Selected Wednesdays, generally scheduled at 13:15-15:00 in Tupprummet (14:340).
The seminar is coordinated by Håkan Forsberg.

The Sociology of Education Seminar

The Sociology of Education Seminar series is a place to present current research in Sociology of Education and research relevant to the this discipline. This seminar is open to researchers working in Sociology of Education at Uppsala University as well as to national and international guests.

Selected Wednesdays, generally scheduled at 13:15-15:00 in Tupprummet (14:340).
The seminar is coordinated by Håkan Forsberg.

Seminars and other events organised by the Sociology of Education and Culture (SEC) research group can be found here.

The Comenius Seminar

The Comenius Seminar series presents history of education research on different themes and eras by researchers from various institutions and academic disciplines.

Selected Tuesdays, generally scheduled at 15:15 - 17:00 in Tupprummet (14:340).
The seminar is coordinated by: Henrik Pålsson-Edgren

Spring 2025

2025-01-29
Research Presentation - Mikael Börjesson, André Bryntesson, Mette Ginnerskov-Dahlberg, Laura Giorio, Ashley Haru, and Ida Lidegran
Current studies on the internationalisation of higher education
Language: English

2025-02-14
PhD Defense - Anna Bennich-Björkman

The Higher Education Norm: Rethinking Paths to Adulthood and Independence in a Former Industrial Community
Language: English

2025-05-14
50% Seminar - Ricardo Xavier Cevallos Salgado
Social science as an investment in Swedish higher education. Spatial-temporal structures and accumulation in students' trajectories
Language: English

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