PHD916 Responsible management of knowledge development - establishing change agents

Contents and structure

The course is a part of the PhD program Studies of Bildung and Pedagogical practices and a basic course at the NORBARN PhD-school. The course is primarily aimed at PhD candidates with projects in the field of early childhood education and care (ECEC). Aiming at facilitating transferable skills, students are introduced to practical approaches to how to establish themselves and others as change agents, by writing a policy brief based on the topic of their PhD project. Recipients may be international organizations such as UNICEF, OMEP, national grassroots organizations such as FUB, Naturvernforbundet, Storbynettverket, or public administrative units such as Udir.

Theories on systemic and value-based approaches to leadership in Bildung perspectives are discussed and problematized. Quality development as an ideology, concept and (political) practice, and the identification of actors (human, ideological, material, knowledge, etc.) that drive changes, are theorized and problematized.

The course covers the following topics

• epistemic, theoretical and methodological approaches to knowledge development
• systemic leadership and quality discourses in Nordic ECEC institutions, ECEC teacher education and ECEC policy
• insight into how to write a policy recommendation (policy brief)

Learning Outcome

After completing the course, the student will have acquired the following learning outcomes, defined as knowledge, skills, and general competence:

Knowledge

The student

• can contribute to building new understanding of theories within systemic leadership, quality and change
• can assess the appropriate use of policy recommendations ('policy briefs')
• is at the forefront of knowledge about Nordic models for leadership, ECEC policy and administration

Skills

The student

• can identify, discuss and problematize ideologies and discourses on leadership, quality, collaboration and change
• can write a policy brief that communicates well to the recipient
• can handle complex academic topics and challenge established knowledge in the field by identifying how and where one can influence the content and working methods in ECEC, in ECEC teacher education or in ECEC policy

General competence

The student

• can identify ethical aspects and consequences of their own and others' research projects from an Bildung perspective
• can communicate in ways that make research knowledge known in society
• can assess the need for and initiate practical leadership and change for innovation in the Nordic ECEC field

Entry requirements

None

Teaching methods

The course runs over either a four-day continuous period, or two + two days, with digital meetings in the interim period. The working methods include lectures, discussions, workshops and student presentations. The candidate is expected to participate actively in the sessions and contribute both to the development of their own knowledge and to the development of others' knowledge.

Compulsory learning activities

None

Assessment

An individual text that presents a policy recommendation (a policy brief). In addition to the policy brief, the candidate must link the content to theories of systemic leadership, quality and change in a Bildung perspective. Who is to be the recipient of the policy recommendation must be substantiated with reference to the content of the brief and the cultural, organizational and political context in which one wants to influence. The text should have a scope of 3000 - 4000 words.

Examination support material

All aids are allowed. For information about the use of artificial intelligence, read Submission of home exams and assignments.

More about examination support material