Kathrine Bjørgen

Kathrine Bjørgen is a Professor at the Department of Physical Activity and Health within the Department of Science, Natural Sciences and Social Sciences at DMMH, where she has worked since 2003. She specializes in physical activity, health promotion, and nature-based learning in early childhood education contexts.

Education:
Doctoral degree in Psychology from NTNU (2017) with thesis titled Bevegelsesglede i barnehagen, along with extensive pedagogical training including University and College Pedagogy (UHped-2), qualitative analysis methods, and practical teaching qualifications.

Research Focus:
Her work examines how physical activity and outdoor environments – particularly winter/snow settings – impact children's development, wellbeing, and participation. Key interests include:

• Promoting joy of movement in early childhood
• Nature's role in play-based learning
• Observational methodologies for physical activity assessment
• Sustainability education through food literacy

Research Projects:

• FOOD4kids (Ongoing): Developing sustainability through food literacy in kindergartens
• 5-6 year olds' knowledge about health and the environment (Completed)