Eli Smeplass

Eli Smeplass is an Associate Professor of Vocational Pedagogy at NTNU's Department of Teacher Education within the Faculty of Social and Educational Sciences. Her research focuses on sociological and pedagogical intersections, particularly vocational education pathways, educational inequality, and professional learning. She holds editorial roles at the International Journal of Vocational Education Studies and contributes to the Great Norwegian Encyclopedia. Smeplass leads the Inequality, Welfare and Organization and International Vocational Education and Training Research groups, and has conducted Fulbright-funded research at Ohio State University. Her work emphasizes institutional dynamics, policy analysis, and Nordic educational systems.

Education: PhD in Educational Sociology (2018, NTNU), Master's in Sociology and Pedagogy. Teaching expertise spans vocational, primary, and secondary teacher education programs. Professional engagements include VETNET and the Norwegian Research Council's BULKIS initiative. Current projects address comparative VET systems, urban educational inequality, and teacher training quality.

Research highlights include analyzing vocational teacher preparation, climate change education impacts, and institutional barriers to equity. Over 40 peer-reviewed articles and reports demonstrate her commitment to bridging theory and practice in education systems reform.