Berit Karseth

Berit Karseth is a Professor at the Department of Education, Faculty of Educational Sciences, University of Oslo, where she currently serves as Vice-Rector for Education (2025-). She previously held the position of Dean at the Faculty of Educational Sciences from 2013 to 2016 and has served as Deputy Head of the Department of Education during two periods (1999-2002 and 2005-2009). Her leadership extends to various boards including the Institute Board (2021-2024), the board of the Cultural History Museum at UIO (2020-2025), and the board of Khrono (2019-2023).

Dr. Karseth holds a Cand. Paed. (Advanced Master Degree in Education with specialization within Leadership, Organizational Theory and Didactics) from the Institute for Educational Research, University of Oslo (1988) and a PhD. from the Faculty of Social Sciences, University of Oslo (1995).

Professor Karseth's research focuses on reform and change processes across all levels of the educational system, with three central themes: curriculum studies and educational reforms in higher education, curriculum studies, management and didactics in primary education, and the knowledge work of professions. Her publications demonstrate a consistent focus on how curricula are developed, implemented, and transformed within educational systems, particularly examining Norwegian and Nordic contexts. The most recent articles (2023-2025) increasingly address temporal dimensions, datafication in educational governance, and the role of international organizations like the OECD in shaping national curriculum policies. Her work bridges theoretical and practical aspects of education, connecting academic research with policy development.

Professor Karseth has secured significant research funding, including projects from The Norwegian Research Council and the Directorate of Education and Training. Her leadership in major research initiatives has established her as a key figure in Nordic educational research.

She supervises master's and PhD students and has been instrumental in developing research training programs. Her extensive publication record spans over 100 works including books, book chapters, and articles in leading international journals focused on education, curriculum studies, and policy analysis.

As leader of the Curriculum Studies, Leadership and Educational Governance (CLEG) research group, Professor Karseth fosters collaborative research on educational policy implementation, curriculum development, and leadership in educational reform processes.