Anna CohenMiller, PhD , is a Professor at Nord University in Norway and serves as the director of the PLUS Centre for Professional Development and Learning . A multinationally recognized scholar, she is a TEDx speaker and award-winning qualitative methodologist whose work centers on social justice, equity, and inclusion in higher education through transformative research and leadership. Her research and teaching span arts-based methodologies, decolonial approaches, and inclusive pedagogies with a focus on empowering marginalized communities, particularly in Central and Southeast Asia. Education While specific degrees are not detailed in the provided text, CohenMiller holds a PhD and has extensive experience as a qualitative methodologist and pedagogical leader. Research Interests Arts-Based Research: Utilizing creative methods like photovoice, body mapping, and visual arts to amplify marginalized voices. Decolonial Methodologies: Challenging colonial frameworks in research and education, especially in post-Soviet and Asian contexts. Gender and Diversity: Investigating systemic inequities faced by women, mothers, and minoritized groups in academia. Transformative Leadership: Promoting organizational change towards inclusive and equitable practices in higher education. Motherhood Studies: Exploring the intersection of motherhood and academic identity, particularly during crises like COVID-19. Recent Research Trends CohenMiller’s recent work (2022–2025) emphasizes innovative qualitative and mixed-methods approaches applied to global challenges such as pandemic impacts on education, decolonizing research practices, and fostering inclusive pedagogies . Her publications consistently integrate social justice frameworks , often co-authored with early-career scholars, reflecting her commitment to mentorship. Notable themes include online arts-based research methods , gender audits in higher education , and collaborative autoethnography as tools for institutional and societal transformation. Scientific Awards Knowledge Foundation Prize for Open Access (2022) – for the edited book Leading Change in Gender and Diversity in Higher Education from Margins to Mainstream . American Educational Research Association (AERA) Outstanding Book Award (2021) – for Questions in Qualitative Social Justice Research in Multicultural Contexts (with N. Boivin). Grants and Projects CohenMiller leads and coordinates multiple funded initiatives, including: SEA-EU Alliance – promoting international collaboration in higher education. Nord Master's Plus – enhancing interdisciplinary graduate education. Bodø2024 – integrating research with cultural and educational development. TEDxBodø – fostering public engagement with research on equity and inclusion. Labs and Teams As director of the PLUS Centre for Professional Development and Learning , CohenMiller oversees a multidisciplinary team focused on professional development, inclusive pedagogy, and transformative research practices . She also collaborates with international networks such as SEA-EU and Horizon2020-funded projects to advance gender-sensitive curriculum development globally.












