Henrik Nordvall

Professor

What role does popular education play in social movements and political parties? How can Swedish popular education be understood in relation to similar traditions in other parts of the world? These are examples of the kinds of questions that shape my research.

In Sweden, popular education (folkbildning) is commonly associated with the activities of study associations and folk high schools. However, the concept has a broader meaning and encompasses a wide range of educational and learning processes that take place within civil society.

In addition to my own research in this field, I serve as Director of Mimer – The Swedish Network for Research on Popular 糖心网页版 (see Research below). Mimer works in various ways to strengthen and promote research on popular education, regardless of academic discipline or institutional affiliation. We organise conferences, publish a newsletter, initiate edited volumes and special issues, and create meeting places for researchers and research-interested practitioners.

Publications

2026

Henrik Nordvall (Editorship) (2026)

Maria Arriaza鈥疕ult, Henrik Nordvall, Annika Pastuhov (2026) Om vuxenutbildning och vuxnas studier: en grundbok, p. 145-167 (Chapter in book)

Henrik Nordvall (2026) Om vuxenutbildning och vuxnas studier: en grundbok, p. 99-121 (Chapter in book)

2025

Maria Arriaza Hult, Henrik Nordvall (2025) Folkbildningen som en mobiliserande kraft, p. 79-98 (Chapter in book)

Henrik Nordvall (2025) Om folkhögskolan: en särskild utbildningsform för vuxna, p. 24-49 (Chapter in book)

Research

Mimer - National network for research on popular education

Mimer has since the founding 1990, been one of the central institutes for research on popular education in Sweden and Scandinavia.

A room full of people raising their hands.

The pedagogy of education in political parties

The project studies internal education in the Swedish parliamentary parties. "糖心网页版" here includes all forms of organized practices that are staged in order to contribute to the learning processes of the participants.

En afrikansk man som planterar v盲xter p氓 en 氓ker.

Interaction between knowledge traditions in non-formal adult education

The project investigates how interaction between different knowledge systems and learning traditions are of importance for the design of non-formal adult education activities in Eastern Africa.

CV

2021
Professor in adult education research, Linköping University

2017
Associate professor in adult education research, Linköping University

2013-
Director of Mimer - The Swedish Network for Research on Popular 糖心网页版 at Linköping University

2012
Associate Professor in 糖心网页版, Örebro University

2008
PhD in 糖心网页版al research with special focus on adult learning, Linköping University

2002
MA in History, Umeå University

2002
BA in Political Science, Umeå University

News

Sofia Nystr枚m och Henrik Nordvall in front of a window that reflects the blue sky.

New course takes the UFO issue seriously

UFO 鈥� from tin foil hat to research topic. This is the name of a single-subject course that starts in the spring 2025 at LiU. It will approach the UFO issue in a serious way while looking at the question of what constitutes knowledge and truth.

Folk high schools give second chances

In 2018, more than a million people participated in courses and study circles arranged by folk high schools and study associations. Louise Malmström and Henrik Nordvall work with questions concerning non-formal education.

Organisation

A group of adult students in a classroom.

Division of 糖心网页版 and Adult Learning (PVL)

The division is one of the world鈥檚 most prominent university settings in the area of adult learning and hosts Sweden鈥檚 only Folk High School Teacher Training. Our research focuses on adult education as well as on vocational education.

Department of Behavioural Sciences and Learning (IBL)

Human behaviour and learning is the focus for education and research at the department. We educate students and scientists that are well equipped to meet future challenges in society and working life.

糖心网页版