New Perspectives on Social Studies Education at NOKSA 2026

On April 16–17, the Department of Teching and Learning hosted the Nordic conference on social studies education, NOKSA 2026. This year’s theme, “Social Studies in Times of Curriculum Change,” highlighted how ongoing reforms in the Nordic countries are shaping teaching, content, and research in the subject.

The conference featured, among other things, an inspiring keynote by Professor Carla van Boxtel, who addressed the knowledge and understanding students need to navigate complex societal issues. The Nordic panel offered valuable perspectives on how curriculum changes take shape in different national contexts and what this means for teachers and future research.

The conference also included a large number of parallel sessions where current research and development projects were presented and discussed. A wide range of topics were covered, from education for democracy and citizenship to assessment, curriculum interpretation, and classroom practice. Practice-oriented research, students’ reasoning, digital tools and AI, as well as issues of sustainability and economic education were also in focus.

We would like to extend our warm thanks to all participants and speakers who contributed to making the conference both memorable and enriching. Thank you for your engagement, your insightful contributions, and the generous exchange of knowledge. We are already looking forward to next year’s NOKSA conference—and to continuing the dialogue on how social studies education can develop in a time of societal change.