Stefan Hrastinski

Stefan Hrastinski is a Professor of Media Technology at KTH Royal Institute of Technology in Sweden. His research focuses on leveraging internet technologies to enhance education and learning, particularly in creating collaborative and socially interactive learning environments. He leads a multidisciplinary team exploring applications such as the national Math Coach project, which involves university students mentoring K-12 students via digital platforms. His work spans educational technology, distance learning, and the ethical implications of AI in education.

Key research interests include online tutoring systems, generative AI’s role in education, and the use of fiction to imagine future educational scenarios. Hrastinski collaborates with schools, universities, and industries to bridge technical and pedagogical innovations. Notable projects include developing digital tools for peer feedback in visual arts education and analyzing cultural differences in privacy concerns around learning analytics.

His recent publications explore speculative futures of AI in education, the dissolution of online/campus teaching dichotomies, and the design of flexible distance education models. Hrastinski’s team emphasizes practical applications, such as the Math Coach platform, while addressing ethical, social, and technical challenges in educational technology.

Scientific contributions include studies on student engagement, emotional presence in online tutoring, and frameworks like the 'Relationship of Inquiry' for analyzing coaching interactions. He actively participates in international discussions on digital pedagogy and policy, advocating for inclusive and equitable education technologies.