Field of work
Irina Pavlova is a Senior Lecturer in Social Sciences and awadarded Excellent Teaching Practitioner at Western Norway University of Applied Sciences (HVL). She has worked at HVL since 2016. Since 2025 she holds the role as Program Leader for the Sociology program, which includes both Bachelor's and Year study programs.
In recognition of her contributions to teaching, Irina was awarded the "Utdanningskvalitetspris" (Education Quality Award) in 2020 for her effective integration of mandatory placements within the Sociology curriculum. Her recent research initiatives have focused on work-oriented Sociology and digitalisation of and in higher education. Irina was awarded Excellent Teaching Practioioner in 2025.
As of 2024, the Sociology program at HVL has transitioned to an online format, and Irina leads the research and pedagogical development work related to this transition.
Irina holds several roles at HVL:
- Member of the Council for Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion (2019-2023 and 2024-2027)
- Member of the Faculty Council for the Faculty of Technology, Environmental, and Social Sciences (2024-2027)
- Member of the Gender Diversity and Inclusion Board within the ARTEMIS University Alliance (2025- ).
Courses taught
- Youth Sociology
- Sociology
Research areas
- HORIZON 2020 research project MOVE: Mapping Mobility – pathways, institutions, and structural effects of youth mobility in Europe.
- Internationalisation in education / labor market
- Youth
- Sociology of Work - Sociology work placements
- Active citizenship
- Digitalisation of and in higher education
Publications
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Forsking på sosiologisk praksis og mentorperspektiv
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Joint Navigation: Student and Mentor Insights on Sociology Work Placements
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Digitalisering av høgare utdanning og digitale skiljelinjer?
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Sosiologi for alle
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Å bli ein som jobbar. Ein tematisk analyse av studentperspektiv på obligatorisk praksis i sosiologi ved Høgskulen på Vestlandet (HVL)