Oddny Judith Solheim

Oddny Judith Solheim is a Professor and Director at the Knowledge Centre for Education, University of Stavanger, Faculty of Education and Humanities. Her research centers on literacy instruction, student engagement, and effective teaching practices, particularly for at-risk learners. She is co-founder and co-director of Synapse Lab, a cross-disciplinary research lab conducting large-scale field experiments in education.

Research Interests: Solheim's work explores factors that enhance student learning, with a focus on early reading interventions, co-teaching models, adaptive assessments, and the role of classroom climate. She investigates how instructional practices can be effectively implemented and scaled, especially in inclusive educational settings. Her research bridges theory and practice through rigorous experimental designs.

The recent publications highlight a strong trend in educational effectiveness, particularly in early literacy, teacher collaboration, school leadership support, and student agency. Her work frequently employs randomized controlled trials and mixed-methods approaches, contributing significantly to evidence-based education. She publishes in top journals across education, psychology, and economics.

Editorial and Professional Contributions:

• Founding Editor, Nordic Journal of Literacy Research
• Editorial Board Member, Learning and Instruction
• Editorial Board Member, Nordic Journal of Systematic Reviews in Education

Research Leadership and Advising: As director of the Knowledge Centre for Education and co-director of Synapse Lab, Solheim leads major research initiatives such as Enact, ABC123, and SustaIN. She has supervised numerous large-scale projects including On Track and Two Teachers in the Class, indicating extensive experience in grant management and mentoring researchers. Her collaborative network spans national and international institutions.

Labs and Teams: She co-directs Synapse Lab, a cross-disciplinary research lab at UiS dedicated to advancing knowledge on motivation and learning through field experiments in educational and work-life contexts.