Sara Lenninger

Sara Lenninger is an Associate Professor in Cognitive Semiotics at Kristianstad University's Faculty of Education, Department of After School Education. Her work bridges semiotic theory, cognitive science, and childhood education, focusing on visual communication and meaning-making processes in developmental contexts.

Education:

• PhD in Semiotics, Lund University (2013)
• MA in Philosophy of Arts, Lund University
• Docent in Cognitive Semiotics, Lund University (2021)

Research Focus: Dr. Lenninger investigates how visual signs convey meaning beyond verbal language, particularly in children's communication. Her cognitive semiotic approach examines picture interpretation in adult-child interactions to advance children's rights in educational and social settings. She integrates psychological insights with semiotic frameworks to decode developmental meaning-making processes.

Publication Trends: Her 2024 outputs reveal concentrated exploration of aesthetic awareness in pedagogical environments, children's semiotic development, and visual narrative structures. Key themes include the application of Göran Sonesson's legacy to contemporary semiotics, pictoriality in art education, and non-verbal communication systems in childhood contexts.

Scientific Recognition:

• No formal awards documented in source materials

Academic Leadership: With 171 supervised students, Dr. Lenninger serves as deputy supervisor for PhD research on children's belonging in after-school communities. She leads the NEMO project (2019-2022) developing ECEC teacher curricula and co-directs an ongoing project (2023-2025) on pedagogical work for children's inclusion. Her grant portfolio includes EU-funded initiatives targeting autism spectrum disorder education and monitoring guidelines.

Professional Engagement: As Swedish representative on the Nordic Association for Semiotic Studies board and Associate Editor of Cognitive Semiotics journal, she shapes international discourse. Her recent invited talks address democracy, inclusive education, and children's sense of belonging across Scandinavian academic forums.