Jenny Wilder

Jenny Wilder is Professor and Head of the Department of Special Education at Stockholm University, with additional research affiliations as Research Associate at the Centre for Augmentative & Alternative Communication, University of Pretoria, and at the Department of Women's and Children's Health, Uppsala University. Her academic leadership includes serving as Director of Research Studies (2018-2022) and Research Coordinator for the Doctoral Programme in Special Education (2018-2020), demonstrating significant institutional impact in Swedish special education.

Wilder's research expertise centers on intellectual disability, with particular focus on communication and interaction, participation, support provision, collaboration, and educational transitions. Her work bridges theoretical frameworks with practical applications, examining how children with intellectual disabilities navigate educational transitions and how educators can facilitate meaningful learning experiences. She has developed conceptual frameworks like the 'learning journey' model to analyze children's educational transitions, emphasizing individualized approaches and collaborative processes.

Her publication record reveals a strong emphasis on practical interventions for students with severe and profound intellectual disabilities, including innovative approaches like MultiSensory Music Drama. Wilder's research consistently addresses how to enhance participation and influence for individuals with intellectual disabilities across educational and community settings, with recent work examining pandemic impacts on family-school collaboration and developing co-created transition guides for students with special educational needs.

As an active mentor, Wilder has supervised multiple PhD students and currently serves as main supervisor for Linn Johnels and Sofia Wallin. She has led research projects funded by the Swedish Research Council, focusing on practical applications that improve educational experiences for children with disabilities. Her work extends beyond academia through collaborations with educational institutions and practitioners to implement evidence-based practices.

Wilder maintains active involvement in research networks including the Centre for Augmentative & Alternative Communication and the Research School in Special Education. Her work demonstrates commitment to translating research into practice, developing tools and frameworks that educators can use to support students with intellectual disabilities through critical educational transitions and daily learning experiences.