Challenges in theoretical physics education in Nordic countries

21 Mar 2024, 11:00 → 22 Mar 2024, 22:15 Europe/Stockholm

Albano 3: 4205 - SU Conference Room (40 seats) (Albano Building 3)

Alexander Krikun (Stockholm University, Nordita), Stellan Östlund (Göteborgs Universitet)

Please be aware that scammers sometimes approach participants claiming to be able to provide accommodation and asking for credit card details. Do not give this information to them! If you are in any doubt about the legitimacy of an approach, please get in contact with the organizers.

Venue

Nordita, Stockholm, Sweden

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Scope

Theoretical physics as a subject requires a large educational effort in order to reach the scientific frontier. The continuous education in theoretical physics, building upon the Bachelor level and evolving into the focused Master programs is important to sustain the quality of teaching in this subject.

This workshop will bring together the administrators and faculty involved in teaching theoretical physics from the various Nordic Universities to raise the issue of how to maintain and improve the quality of theoretical physics education in the Nordic countries. The purpose of the workshop will be to identify these problems, share existing solutions, and hopefully help solve some of the problems, but also to aid in networking and cooperation between the universities. 

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Organizers

• Stellan Östlund (Göteborgs universitet)
• Alexander Krikun (Nordita)
• Valentina Giangreco-Puletti (University of Iceland)
• Jesús Zavala Franco (University of Iceland)
• Sigurður Örn Stefánsson (University of Iceland)
• Marcus Berg (Karlstad University)

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Sponsored by:

Thursday, 21 March

11:00 → 12:00 Registration

12:00 → 13:30 Lunch and free discussions

13:30 → 13:40 Welcome and overview of the workshop

13:40 → 13:50 Presentation of Nordita

13:50 → 15:15 Presentations: Facts

13:55 Uppsala University

14:05 Lund University

14:15 Stockholm University

14:30 Aarhus University

14:40 Linnaeus University

14:55 University of Helsinki

15:15 → 15:45 Coffee break and free discussions

15:45 → 17:00 Presentations: Facts

15:50 KTH

16:00 Karlstad University

16:10 Chalmers/GU

16:25 Niels Bohr Institute

16:35 University of Bergen

16:45 University of Iceland + Nordita

17:15 → 18:15 Topical group discussions, Mingle

18:15 → 19:45 Conference Dinner

Friday, 22 March

09:00 → 09:45 Panel Discussion Topic 1: Analysis of current state

What have we learned from Day 1?
Critical look at data. What do the numbers mean?
Look at analysis of excel data programs.
Where are the problems? / Strong points?
Can teaching financially support the faculty?
How does pre-master program enrollment look?
How does master enrollment look
Attrition. Where do students go?

Chair: Stellan Östlund

09:45 → 10:30 Panel Discussion Topic 2: Teaching methods and approaches

Inventory of tools and experience with them.
Online courses; Zoom et al or more specialized platforms?
MOOC courses for credit? (rising or waning)
How to increase teaching attractiveness/How do we advertise?
Focus on core or embrace new topics/Multidisciplinarity?
Mobility as an asset or detriment?
Role of AI: As a topic in courses/As a student tool.

Chair: Sigurður Stefánsson

10:30 → 10:45 Coffee break and discussions

10:45 → 11:30 Panel Discussion Topic 3: Collaboration, present and future

Experiences from existing teaching collaboration:
Icelandic master program (presentation by Iceland)
SU – Nordita Master program, ...
Future collaboration between schools. Sources of funding for this type of activity
Is there a need cross-participation in masters programs?
How could individual masters courses be made available?
How could grading be organized between schools?
Is there anything to be done now?

Chair: Marcus Berg

11:30 → 12:00 Concluding session

Future collaboration with Nordita:
Are there examples elsewhere in the world.
Is Mittag Leffler a good model?
What are issues facing Nordita? (Director presents)
Budget, mission, teaching opportunities for fellows

Evaluation of the present workshop:
If it is worth repeating?
If No, we end early and go to lunch
If Yes, we discuss
A) Who organizes?
B) What are topics we missed
C) Who should be encouraged to partiicpate
E) Is Nordita a good venue?

12:00 → 13:00 Lunch