About the Department
The Department of Science Education (IND) focuses on the specific nature of challenges related to science teaching, learning and research. IND is positioned under the Faculty of SCIENCE at the University of Copenhagen, and is the largest science didactics unit in Denmark.The research field of IND is science and mathematics education, university science education, digital education and history and philosophy of science. The department takes care of teaching these subjects at the study programs at SCIENCE.High-level pedagogical and didactic development
IND contributes to pedagogical and didactic development throughout the Faculty of SCIENCE and at the University of Copenhagen as a whole.
- We train future secondary school science teachers and facilitators in subject-area didactics, science communication and science studies.
- IND collaborates with numerous entities spanning the educational sector, including the Danish Ministry of Education, to develop innovative and user-friendly science instruction and teacher education at all levels.
- IND also works with science museums and science centres to develop innovative informal learning environments.
Research Assessment
In 2023, an international panel of experts performed a comprehensive research assessment of the department.
The panel consisted of:
- Professor Ellen Karoline Henriksen, University of Oslo (chair)
- Professor Sarah Davies, University of Vienna
- Professor Don Howard, University of Notre Dame
- Professor Hans-Stefan Siller, University of Würzburg
The panel recognised IND as an ambitious center of research, undergoing a transformative phase of expansion. Since the previous assessment, IND has enhanced its research quality, extended its staff, and evolved into an internationally recognised research institution.
The primary purpose of the research assessment is internal learning and development. The effort was part of the overall research assessment of the University of Copenhagen. Every department goes through such an assessment every six years.