The main objective

The School of Professional Studies has a research profile covering practical knowledge, health subjects, learning and teaching. An important aim of research is to improve the quality of education and professional practice and to improve the quality of services. Research should lead to improving services and institutions for the individual practitioner, users of services, and society as a whole. Research activity is to include basic scientific research, applied research and developmental work.

The School of Professional Studies is to be an important actor in knowledge development in its special subject fields both regionally, nationally and internationally. The regional perspective is of special interest, and The School of Professional Studies is to conduct research based on the region’s needs. Research production and presentation is to occur in interplay with working life and trade and it is important for The School of Professional Studies that research is based on practice.

Research strategy objectives for The School of Professional Studies during the period 2004-2007

The School of Professional Studies conducts research, presentation and education at bachelor and master level. Bachelor degrees are provided in teacher training, languages, sports and nursing.

The School of Professional Studies provides master degrees in special education/specially adapted training and in practical knowledge, and has also applied for recognition of a PHD study programme in practical knowledge. This study programme will recruit from a wide range of professions. In a university building perspective, The School of Professional Studies will develop more master degrees, first and foremost developing master degrees in health, learning and sport for children. The School must develop its researcher study programme so that master degrees in professional educations provide qualifications for the school’s doctoral study programme.

Research and R&D dissemination requires research based education and learning. This means research supporting the various study programmes at bachelor, master and PHD level. In practice this implies the need for further competence development and researcher education for The School of Professional Studies’ staff. The number of stipend positions must be increased in order to recruit talented researchers, the department must establish post. doc. Positions, and a competence development programme must be developed for the academic staff in order to meet these requirements.  Greater endeavour in R&D at The School of Professional Studies will require increased R&D time allocation for the whole of the academic staff and also more staff members with professor competence. The School of Professional Studies will therefore especially give priority to research in the fields in which one has high research competence and also where the need for research- based knowledge is great. This concerns the following:

·        Practical knowledge at The Centre for Practical Knowledge

·        Special education at the Institute for Education and Culture

·        Innovation and entrepreneurship in schools at the Institute for Education and Culture

·        Empirical ethics research, clinical nursing research, practical and instrumental nursing, as well as mental health and drugs and alcohol abuse problem complexes at the Institute for Nursing and Health