PhD Position on Systemic Change in STEM Education: Bridging Stakeholders to Create Shared Visions in a Changing Society

The STEM Education Research Center at the Department of Mathematics and Computer Science at the University of Southern Denmark (Campus Odense) offers a PhD scholarship on systemic change in STEM education.

The position is connected to the newly established cross boarder STEPS project (STEM Perspectives in Primary and Secondary Education – Career Orientation with Academic, Digital, and Intercultural Competencies) funded by Interreg. The Interreg STEPS project aims to develop and implement pilot projects to strengthen the connection between working life and primary (elementary) and secondary education. The initiative addresses the shortage of skilled workers in digital technology related sectors in Germany and Denmark by providing career orientation for students in primary to upper secondary education, that is integrated into practice-oriented lessons in STEM subjects. Thus, the STEPS seeks to provide young people with a stronger and more informed foundation for making decisions regarding their education and career choices for example, through internship and labour market-oriented teaching programs. The project results will be innovative and effective prototypes that close the gap in career guidance and help to combat the shortage of skilled workers.

Project description
This PhD call explores how shared visions for STEM education can emerge through dialogue and educational collaboration among different stakeholder groups. Focusing on the STEPS project, the research examines the complexities of collaboration between diverse stakeholders, the differences in their visions and goals for STEM education in their region, and their communication for shaping educational innovation. The study also looks at the complexities of transferring educational ideas across borders, such as the Danish-German collaboration in STEM, and investigates how shared visions can balance workforce needs with societal values in a changing job market.

The research project may touch upon the following key concepts: 

1. Stakeholder Dialogue: How educators, industry partners, and researchers align (or misalign) values and goals to shape systemic educational change.
2. Global-Local Complexity: How educational ideas and practices are transferred, adapted, or misunderstood across borders (e.g., Danish German collaboration in STEM education)
3. Career Orientation in STEM: How shared visions can balance practical workforce needs with societal and cultural values in a changing job market

The project will examine communication strategies, cultural barriers, and system dynamics within the STEPS initiative as a case study for fostering systemic change.

Core Research Questions for inspiration and further development

1. How can dialogue between educators, industry partners and researchers lead to shared visions and plans for systemic STEM education reform?
2. Which systemic and cultural drivers and barriers spur or hinder cross-border collaboration in STEM education, and how can they be adressed?
3. How may career-oriented STEM education better prepare students for future societal and workforce needs?

Methodology – options, to be developed

1. Case Study Research: STEPS serves as the primary case study to explore systemic change, stakeholder collaboration, and cross-border challenges in STEM education.
2. Qualitative Methods: Semi-structured Interviews: Engage educators, policymakers, and researchers to identify goals, misalignments, and opportunities for alignment.
3. Focus Groups and Dialogical Workshops: Facilitate co-creation of shared visions and practical strategies for systemic change.
4. Design-Based and Participatory Action Research (PAR): Collaborate with STEPS partners to co-develop and test frameworks and tools for enhancing communication and systemic alignment.

Envisioned outcomes

1. Framework for Stakeholder Dialogue: A practical, research-based framework to facilitate communication, alignment, and shared visions for STEM education among educators, policymakers, and researchers.
2. Career Orientation Tools: Strategies and tools to integrate career-oriented STEM learning into primary and secondary education, addressing cultural and systemic barriers.
3. Case Study Insights and Policy Recommendations: Evidence-based insights and actionable recommendations from STEPS, offering scalable solutions for systemic STEM education reforms and cross-border collaboration.

Relevance to STEPS

• Supports STEPS’ aim to promote career orientation and intercultural competencies in STEM from primary to secondary education.
• Addresses systemic and cultural challenges in Danish-German collaboration.
• Provides actionable insights and tools to enhance stakeholder communication and shared vision-building.

The application for the PhD position must include:

1. Application letter with motivation of interest for the project
2. Curriculum documenting educational and professional experience when applicable
3. Documentations of awarded master’s degree (or equivalent) 
4. Contact details (phone numbers and e-mail) for at least 2 referees who can be contacted for reference 
5. List of publications when applicable
6. A 3-page project description: 
1. A clearly defined, individual research plan that fits into and complements the STEPS project 
2. Plan for making the project relevant to the field of practice and for knowledge dissemination
3. Reflections on ethical aspects related to the project

Evaluation Criteria

• Research quality and feasibility of the project
• Relevance of the project to STEPS' overall purpose
• Project's plan for practical relevance and knowledge dissemination
• Applicant's qualifications

Qualifications
Applicants are expected to have a relevant master's degree in social sciences or equivalent qualifications that provide sufficient knowledge to conduct educational research in primary and secondary education. 

Applicants are expected to be fluent English and Danish, to be able to gather data observing classes and establish personal contact with teachers, including international staff, and students.

Applicants are expected to have basic proficiency in German sufficient for everyday communication. 

Employment Terms

• Enrolment in the doctoral school at the Faculty of Science, SDU
• Participation in Research training programme in Science and Mathematics Education and Communication (SMEC)
• Supervisors are Associate Professor Gitte Miller Balslev and Associate Professor Chunfang Zhou, FNUG, SDU
• 3-year full-time employment

The PhD student is expected to teach FNUG courses, e.g., in STEM didactics (NAT805/NAT808) and/or Project Management in Science (NAT118).

Application deadline: 25 April 2025 at 23:59 hours local Danish time 
Please see the full call, including how to apply, on www.sdu.dk