Magdalena Kersting

• Presentation
• CV
• Research outputs
• Prizes
• Keywords

Overview

With a background in mathematics, physics, and science communication, I hold a Ph.D. in Physics Education Research from the University of Oslo, and I am a recipient of the International Astronomical Union Ph.D. Prize in Education, Outreach, and Heritage. My research intersects science education, embodied cognition, and technology perspectives, with a focus on how embodied experiences shape scientific understanding. I teach graduate courses at the Department of Science Education, and my main teaching responsibilities fall within the Master in Science Teaching (MiSU) and the Master in STEM Teaching (KASTEM).

In addition to my research and teaching responsibilities, I hold leadership positions within various professional organisations and offer mentorship to early-career researchers. I coordinate the Special Interest Group 'Languages & Literacies in Science Education' under the European Science Education Research Association (ESERA), and I serve as the co-chair of the ESERA 2025 conference in Copenhagen. I am also the co-founder of the International Modern Physics & Research in Education Seminar Series (IMPRESS), and I find great joy in fostering collaboration within the physics and science education communities.

Primary fields of research

My research sits at the intersection of science education, embodied cognition, and technology, with a key emphasis on how embodied experiences shape scientific understanding. My signature style of doing research is collaborative, across disciplinary boundaries, and in close partnership with practitioners.

Theoretical Perspectives
Grounded in the paradigm of embodied cognition, my research examines how embodied experiences inform learning and teaching in science, aiming to enhance instructional practices.

Methodological Approach
My methodological expertise lies in the combination of design-based research and different types of video analyses, including multimodal interaction analysis and video observation manuals. 

Disciplinary Focus
Focusing mainly on physics and science education, my research also extends into broader STEM disciplines and educational technologies such as artificial intelligence and virtual reality.

Fields of interest

Technology-enhanced education

Can immersive virtual reality enable a deeper engagement with scientific concepts? How might artificial intelligence systems act as collaborators and co-creators in learning processes, reshaping our understanding of scientific literacy? Embodied cognition perspectives provide a productive lens for diving into these questions, and I am excited about the potential of emerging technologies to transform science education research and practice.

Modern physics education

How do abstract concepts in modern physics become tangible in a classroom setting? Can the way we teach quantum physics and relativity improve attitudes and inspire a new generation of curious learners? In my research, I draw upon my background as a mathematical physicist to probe these questions, and I am passionate about teaching students the fundamental principles of our current scientific worldview.

Teacher education & instructional quality

What characterises good science teaching, and how can we unpack the complexities of multimodal communication in classrooms? How do different instructional approaches impact student learning? Driven by these questions, my research aims to better prepare and empower science teachers in training and practice. Ultimately, I hope to stimulate transformative discussions about the purpose and potential of science education in our times.

Teaching

• NNDM23001U - Didaktiske forskningsmetoder (Science Education Research Methods)
• NNDM23000U - Naturfagsdidaktik og undersøgelsesbaseret naturfagsundervisning (Science Education & Inquiry-based Science Teaching)
• NNDK20004U - De empirisk eksperimentelle videnskaber (The Experimental Empirical Sciences)
• NNDM23001U - Empiriske metoder/temakursus (Research Methods in Science Education)
• NNDB19007U - Introduktion til naturvidenskabelig formidling
  (Introduction to Science Communication)
• NNDK22001U - Videregående fagdidaktik i naturvidenskabelige fag (Advanced Course in Science Education)

I also supervise students within the Master in Science Teaching (MiSU) and the Master in STEM Teaching (KASTEM). If you are interested in supervision opportunities, I encourage you to get in touch.