Special and Inclusive Education

Our unit studies the phenomena related to the growth and development of children and young people, learning and learning disabilities, and inclusive education in different settings. Our aim is to conduct nationally and internationally significant and well-known research in the areas we focus on, the results of which can also be applied in practical educational work. Our research contributes to the theoretical, methodological and pedagogical development of education, teaching and learning. Through our research, we aim to contribute to influencing educational policy and practice, changes in (special) teacher education, the development of educational practices and the well-being of educators and children, in collaboration with professional experts.

Researchers at different stages of their research and career paths are supported in their research work through activities such as the DivE research group. We seek to involve undergraduate students in our research projects and encourage them to apply for PhD training, particularly in areas of our research focus.

Research focus areas:

• inclusiveness, inclusive education and belongingness
• assessment and support for learning, growth and development
• research on learning difficulties in reading and mathematics
• emotions related to learning
• early childhood special education
• (special) teacher training

Our research unit conducts cross-sectional, longitudinal, intervention, action, case, literature review, ethnographic and narrative research using qualitative and quantitative methods. We use a wide range of data collection methods in our research, including observation, questionnaires, interviews, discussions, skills assessment (including cognitive tests) and physiological responses.

Our aim is to maintain and promote high ethical, equal and sustainable standards at all stages of research. We adhere to the Declaration for Open Science and Research, and Responsible Research (TENK) at all stages of research and in the publication of research results. We publish in national and international high quality scientific journals and books, as well as in professional publication forums. Our unit also encourages the responsible use of metrics (DORA Declaration).

Our research unit is committed to promoting the UN Sustainable Development Goals (Agenda 2030) in academic and everyday practice. Research topics and approaches emphasise the social and educational aspects of sustainable development, with the aim of promoting equality and well-being in an inclusive society.

In particular, our research contributes to the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) (4) Ensure inclusive and equitable quality education and promote lifelong learning opportunities for all, (5) Achieve gender equality and empower all women and girls, and (10) Reduce inequality within and among countries.

Our research unit trains teachers of special education, special education classroom teachers and early childhood special education teachers, in research-based degree programmes. In addition, we offer one-year in-service training in special education for classroom teachers and subject teachers who wish to qualify as special education teachers. These studies focus in particular on child and adolescent development and support. Through their studies, students learn to identify the conditions and challenges of development and learning and to plan teaching from a special educational needs perspective.

We aim to monitor and respond to the national state of special education through continuous development work of our degree programmes and active national cooperation with universities offering special education teacher training. Our main objective is to provide research-based, high-quality and up-to-date training in special education.

Our research unit interacts nationally and internationally with different universities and stakeholders in research and education cooperation. We publish our research results following the open access policy and, in addition to scientific publications, we aim to popularise the key findings. Our experts contribute to the national debate on the state of and need for (early) special education. Our research unit also contributes to the development and provision of continuous learning and in-service training.

iFeelMath is a 4-year consortium project between University of Oulu and Åbo Akademi University, funded by the Research Council of Finland. We investigate the developmental and situational dynamics of math anxiety and math performance among primary school students, and develop some interventions for reducing math anxiety.

Consortium subproject PI: Riikka Mononen

Postdoctoral researcher: Pinja Tähti

eMotMath is a 4-year project funded by the Eudaimonia Institute at the University of Oulu. We investigate the developmental and situational dynamics of math emotions, math performance, motivation, and well-being among primary school students.

Project leader: Riikka Mononen

Doctoral researcher: Alina Pavlova

This doctoral research aims to determine how inclusion and pedagogical support are implemented in music education in elementary schools. The arts and crafts -subjects and the music studied here have been marginalized in research on inclusion and special educational needs issues, so research in this area is of great scientific and societal importance. The doctoral dissertation comprises three sub-studies.

Doctoral researcher: Oula Mommo

Supervisors: Riikka Mononen and Katja Sutela

This doctoral research aims to study how mathematical challenges (which consist of mathematical learning difficulties and math anxiety) affect one`s mathematical learning and knowledge, self-efficacy, and self-concept, and how math subject teachers identify and understand these challenges. How math teachers` teaching goal orientations are related to their teaching practices from the viewpoint of students’ learning challenges are also considered.

Doctoral researcher: Anni Savikuja

Supervisors: Riikka Mononen, Riikka Sirkko and Pinja Tähti.