Nikolaj Elf

Nikolaj Elf is a Professor at the University of Southern Denmark (SDU), affiliated with the Department of Design, Media and Educational Sciences, the SDU Climate Cluster, and the SDU SCC Elite Center CUHRE. His work bridges educational research, didactics, and sustainability, with a strong focus on school-level education and policy.

His research interests include quality education, writing didactics, first language (L1) education, digitalization, subject didactics, environmental and sustainability education, and ethnographic and longitudinal school research. He investigates how teaching practices can be improved across primary, middle, and upper secondary levels, with an emphasis on systemic and practice-oriented approaches.

His recent publications reflect a strong engagement with contemporary educational challenges, including mobile phone use in schools, AI in education, analog learning methods, and the integration of sustainability across subjects. These works demonstrate a consistent focus on ethical, inclusive, and innovative pedagogies.

• Shortlisted for the UKLA Academic Book Award 2018

Nikolaj Elf is actively involved in supervising PhD students, including Elin Aaness from the University of Nordland, Norway. He leads and co-leads multiple research projects funded by the Danish Research Council, such as those on writing development in grades 6–7 and green transitions in primary schools. He also contributes to curriculum development, teacher education, and educational policy through collaborations with institutions like UCL and Uppsala University. He is a member of the steering committee of the Nordic Network for Mother Tongue Didactic Research (NNMF) since 2014.

He is involved in several research centers and elite initiatives at SDU, including the SCC Elite Center CUHRE, and participates in interdisciplinary projects that link education with climate and sustainability goals. His work often involves co-creation with teachers and students, reflecting a commitment to democratic and participatory research practices.