The scientific goal of the group is to expand empirical knowledge and theoretical insights regarding cultural, linguistic and religious complexity, to produce new knowledge on how pre-school, school and teacher education could respond appropriately to a diverse children- and student group, and to develop research-based knowledge on intercultural awareness in education.
Diversity in Education
Diversity in Education (DivE) is an interdisciplinary research group, focusing on contemporary processes of cultural, linguistic and religious diversification and their relevance in the field of education.
- Established:
- 2016
- Affiliation:
- Faculty of Education
- Academic discipline:
- Upbringing and education
The research group. (Photo: DIVE)
What we research
Our research is responding to the education system's need for research-based competence on issues related to cultural, linguistic and religious diversity in education. Through our research, we contribute to the development of multicultural pedagogy as a field of research in Norway, as well as to contribute to international research on diversity in education.
More about the research group
DivE consists of 15 members from the Faculty of Education at University of Inland Norway, representing the subjects of pedagogy, religious education, and social sciences.
Read more about our latest activities in our newsletters:
Current project
- Multicultural school and community events in a participant perspective
- Sustaining National Minorities in Education: Kven/Norwegian Finnish and Forest Finnish Experiences and Needs in Mainstream Schools (NAMED)
Publications
10 recent publications from DivE:
Rannveig Beito Svendby: A Qualitative Study on the Impact of Collegial Relationships on Doctoral Degree Completion: The Perspective of PhD Students in a Norwegian Context
Vander Tavares and Sílvia Melo-Pfeifer: Empowerment and Tension: EFL Student Teachers’ Professional Identity Development from a Trans-Speakerism Perspective
Hildegunn Valen Kleive, Synnøve Markeng, Marianne Friisberg Larssen, Marta Bivand Erdal and Vebjørn L. Horsfjord: Exploring Muslim and Catholic Faith Education in Norway. Transnational Ties, Role Modeling, and Socialization
Anne Grethe Kjelling: Spaces for Expression in Mosque-Based Education. The Perspective of Young Muslims
Ole Kolbjørn Kjørven: Compulsory Religious Education in Norwegian Public Schools. Religious Minority Experiences
Thor-André Skrefsrud: Resource-oriented Pedagogy. Exploring Dilemmas, Challenges, and Pedagogical Considerations
Frida Siekkinen and Jonas Yassin Iversen: Linguistic Conditions of Possibility in Swedish Teacher Education
Olena Iamroz and Thor-André Skrefsrud: Navigating Transitions: Enhancing the Educational Integration of Newly Arrived Students in Norwegian Upper Secondary School
Jonas Yassin Iversen, Thor-André Skrefsrud and Ann-Cathrin Faldet: Skogfinske temaer i skolen: Skogfinske læreres perspektiver
Vander Tavares and Artëm Ingmar Benediktsson: Culturally Sustaining Pedagogies for Refugee L2 Education: A Case Study of Ukrainian Students in Iceland
Conferences and events
Forest Finnish Forum 1 December 2025
Guest lectures on multilingualism 30 May 2025
Contact the research group
Leaders
Professor
- thor.skrefsrud@inn.no
- Phone
- +47 62 51 78 98
Professor
- jonas.iversen@inn.no
- Phone
- +47 62 59 79 55
Members
- Hege Merete Somby
- Kristin Skinstad van der Kooij
- Ole Kolbjørn Kjørven
- Rannveig Beito Svendby
- Vander Tavares
- Synnøve Markeng
- Lana Amro
- Anne Grethe Kjelling
- Hanne Høglind
- Shahrzad Nouri
- Juliane Killerud Bekkevold
- Anders Aschim (Associate member)
- Prisca Bruno Massao (Associate member)
- Hanne Riese (Associate member)
- Kari Nes (Associate member)
- Inger Mokkelbost Haug (Associate member)
- Bente Ovedie Skogvang (Associate member)
- Professor Joke Dewilde, UiO (External member)
- Associate Professor Kristin Gregers Eriksen, USN (External member)
- Assistant Professor Shpresa Basha, OsloMet (External member)
- Associate Professor Danelle Du Plessis, HVL (External member)