معرفی
Thomas Barow is Professor of Education with a focus on special education at Örebro University, where he leads the research environment SpecUL (Special Education, Development and Learning). Originally from Germany, he has extensive experience in both Swedish and German educational systems, having worked as a special education teacher in Germany for over 10 years before moving to Sweden in 2008.
His academic journey includes senior lecturer positions at the universities of Borås, Halmstad, and Gothenburg, as well as acting professorships at German universities in Siegen, Erfurt, and Cologne. He earned his PhD in 2007 from Humboldt University of Berlin with a thesis on the care of 'the feeble-minded' in Sweden between 1916-1945, and became Docent in Education at the University of Gothenburg in 2019.
- 1969: Born in Hagen, Westphalia, Germany
- 2007: PhD in Special Education, Humboldt University of Berlin
- 2019: Docent in Education, University of Gothenburg
- 2022: Professor of Education, Örebro University
Barow's research spans historical and contemporary perspectives on special education and education for people with disabilities. His work examines inclusion and exclusion processes throughout history, comparative educational practices between Sweden and Germany, environmental factors in learning, and the importance of incorporating students' own perspectives. He has particular expertise in the historical development of special education systems and policies.
His recent publications reveal a strong focus on collaborative approaches in special education, historical institutional practices for people with intellectual disabilities, and the implementation challenges of inclusive education policies. Barow's work demonstrates consistent engagement with both theoretical frameworks and practical applications in special education settings.
- Dietrich-Eggert-Stiftung für schulische Inklusion research award for work on special education categorization in North Rhine-Westphalia
As an educator, Barow teaches in general teacher education and special education programs at Örebro University, supervising students at all academic levels. His current research includes practice-based projects on collaboration in adapted primary schools and international collaborations with researchers in Ukraine and Poland to improve educational situations for children in vulnerable life circumstances.
Barow leads the SpecUL research environment and is engaged in multiple collaborative projects addressing educational issues concerning people with intellectual disabilities, emphasizing the importance of connecting theory with practical school experiences.
