Activities within the research group EduWorkSoCo exhibit a thematic coherence centered around the following three perspectives: Graduate employment and entrepreneurship, international higher education and female researchers within the academic working environment.
EduWorkSoCo
The groups work addresses critical concerns outlined in Norwegian government documents and UN sustainability goals regarding the qualification enhancement of employees in an inclusive labor market. They focus on aligning education with the labor market, enhancing student employability, and addressing hidden obstacles such as gender disparities and minority backgrounds.
The research efforts unfold across four dimensions:
- Research Publications: We produce co-authored articles, books, reports, and other research products.
- Research and Educational Projects: Our group actively engages in projects and research fund application at diverse levels.
- Research Exchange: We facilitate joint seminars, symposiums, and guest lectures to foster international academic exchange. Some of the activities are under the Memorandum of Understanding signed by UiS and Chinese universities for academic exchange and research collaboration.
The groups research has yielded several notable findings, including insights into the significance of cultural versus gender differences in job searches and the varied models of university engagement in regional innovation across cultures. Additionally, they have observed differences in entrepreneurial aspirations among Norwegian students compared to their European counterparts.
We aim to contribute to cross-cultural and cross-disciplinary research on education-to-work alignment, as well as the cultural and social contexts of higher education at UiS. Moreover, we seek to foster internationalization at UiS and promote mutual understanding across diverse cultural contexts. Additionally, we aim to enhance research-informed teaching and learning activities at UiS by integrating more research into teaching practices.
Value of the group
EduWorkSoCo contributes to advancing its professional network by fostering collaborations, participating in interdisciplinary events, utilizing digital platforms, and actively engaging with professional associations.
EduWorkSoCo contributes to advancing its professional network by fostering collaborations, participating in interdisciplinary events, utilizing digital platforms, and actively engaging with professional associations. Building and maintaining a robust professional network is integral to the group's efforts in advancing research and contributing to the broader academic discourse in its field.
The value of group EduWorkSoCo stems from the combined advantages of diverse viewpoints (Sociology, Business Studies, Sustainability, Political Sciences, Educational Sciences, and Gender Studies), effective allocation of resources locally and internationally, sharing of knowledge, enhancement of skills, and the increased impact of collective research endeavours. Through collaboration, the group improves its ability to effectively tackle intricate problems and research questions, make valuable contributions to academic discussions, and potentially have a positive impact on alignment between education and work, employment in academic working environment, and social unity.
Research focus
Activities within the research group EduWorkSoCo exhibit a thematic coherence centered around the three perspectives: Graduate employment and entrepreneurship, international higher education and female researchers within the academic working environment.
Research activities for the upcoming term within the research group EduWorkSoCo exhibit a thematic coherence centered around three key perspectives: graduate employment, international higher education in the evolving Norwegian context, and the experiences of female researchers within the academic working environment. The three perspectives together provide a comprehensive analysis of the interaction between education, work, and social cohesion, offering valuable insights into different aspects of these intricate and interrelated topics.
- Graduate employment and entrepreneurship that contributes to a comprehensive understanding of the dynamics between education and employment, thereby enhancing insights into social cohesion concerning the professional trajectories of individuals.
- International higher education, explores issues related to the internationalization of higher education, including the experiences of international students, the implications for the domestic academic landscape, and the role of higher education institutions in fostering social cohesion in an increasingly interconnected world.
- The focus on female researchers within the academic working environment indicates a commitment to addressing gender-related aspects within the broader theme of education and work.
EduWorkSoCo, UiS Strategy and SDG
Research activities at EduWorkSoCo regarding graduate employment, employability offer research results and insights about important skills needed in a dynamic and innovative global labor market, and university/school role of preparing future labors for the society.
These respond directly to UiS/SV strategy: Learning for life.
Social and cultural changes and happenings in education is itself another key research topic in EduWorkSoCo, investigating policy directions, institutional responses, employee (especially female academics in academic working environment) and student perspectives, which directly respond to the UiS/SV strategy of creating A good learning and working environment. The comparative and international perspective and gender perspective emphasized in research activities of EduWorkSoCo, will inform each context about academic freedom, work-life balance, sustainable campus, healthy learning environment and mental health development—all are important welfare values, and echo the UiS/SV strategy Health and welfare.
We are proud that EduWorkSoco is the only team with an East Asian-Nordic comparison perspective in research activities, encouraged by Norwegian government’s Panorama Strategy.
EduWorkSoCo responds to a list of Norwegian national measures (such as the Equality and Discrimination Act, 2017 no. 5; NOU 2017: 2 Integration and trust), which are crucial in working life to achieve equality.
It is also organised in line with the UN Sustainability Goals, SDG 5 (5.1 and 5.C), SDG 8 (8.5 and 8.8) and SDG 10 (10.2 and 10.3), to strengthen and promote opportunities for all, regardless of gender, ethnicity or other status in a decent working life. In addition to SDG Goal 4 all nations should “Ensure inclusive and quality education for all and promote lifelong learning".
Bi-annual research symposium
EduWorkSoco has built their own platform. The bi-annual research symposium, built together with our close partners at Tampere University, Finland, and Lingnan University, Hong Kong.
EduWorkSoco has built Our own platform: the bi-annual research symposium:, built together with our close partners at Tampere University, Finland, and Lingnan University, Hong Kong. The three host in turn the bi-annual research symposium from 2022.
The first symposium was held in autumn 2022 at UiS.
The second symposium will be held at Lingnan University, HK in April 2024.
Members
Department of Media and Social Sciences
Department of Innovation, Management and Marketing
Department of Media and Social Sciences
Department of Media and Social Sciences
Department of Safety, Economics and Planning