Hege Fimreite

Field of work

As of 01.04.2026, I am the head of research program 2 at FLKI, which focuses on subject-didactic and subject-related research for kindergartens, schools, higher education, and informal educational arenas. The program encompasses research that examines how children, young people, and adults encounter, interpret, and develop subject knowledge, and how professionals can support learning, education, and the interpretation of life in a society characterized by cultural, linguistic, and social diversity. The program addresses how kindergartens and schools can be sustainable, democratic, and inclusive in a world characterized by climate crisis, increasing social and economic inequality, polarization, and polycrises. Research on how pedagogical practices can promote hope, critical reflection, ethical and existential conversation, agency and resilience in children and young people will be particularly important.

My research areas are within guidance and collective learning, leadership and professional development, and educational quality. The doctoral thesis from 2022 explores peer guidance in groups and the change of collective knowledge in kindergarten. The postdoctoral project from 2023-2025 focused on testing educational workshops as a form of teaching in kindergarten teacher education, including changing the teaching role. Education must change and adapt in line with the students and changes in society.

I am a researcher at Kindknow, the Center for Kindergarten Research, and a member of the research groups "Leadership in and of the educational system" and "Everyday life in kindergarten".

Together with colleagues and co-editors, Lillian Pedersen and Anne Grethe Sønsthagen, I published the textbook: "Å vere ein modig maur - utforsking, leik og samskaping" in July 2026. The book focuses on how exploration, play, and co-creation can give kindergarten teachers and students the knowledge and tools to face a complex kindergarten routine. The book contains 10 contributions from 11 different authors and is published by Fagbokforlaget.

In January 2024, I published the textbook: "Rettleiing i barnehagen - tilpassing eller danning," which examines how counseling can contribute to developing kindergarten in light of an educational perspective, with attention directed towards processes of learning, developing, and changing practice. The book is published by Cappelen Damm Akademisk. In June 2025, I published a thematic booklet on the same theme for all employees in kindergarten. This booklet was published by Fagbokforlaget.

Together with my colleagues Johanna Birkeland and Anne Grethe Sønsthagen, in June 2022, I published the textbook "Den kompetente barnehagen, tre tilnærmingar til leiing og kunnskapsutvikling". The book is based on our three doctoral theses and was published by Cappelen Damm Akademisk.