Challenges in Theoretical Physics Education in Nordic Countries 2025

15 May 2025, 09:00 → 16 May 2025, 22:15 Europe/Stockholm

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

Eddy Ardonne (Stockholm University), Ivan Khaymovich (Stockholm University, Nordita), Jesus Zavala Franco, Mikael Fogelström (Stockholm University), Stellan Östlund (Göteborgs Universitet), Watse Sybesma (University of Cambridge)

Venue 

Nordita (Albano Building 3), room 4205, 4th floor, Stockholm, Sweden
Campus map
Google map

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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

• Eddy Ardonne (Stockholm University)
• Mikael Fogelström (Nordita)
• Ivan Khaymovich (Nordita)
• Stellan Östlund (Göteborgs universitet)
• Watse Sybesma (Nordita)
• Jesús Zavala Franco (University of Iceland)

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Sponsored by:

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Thursday 15 May

1 Pedagogical Masterclass on hybrid teaching for Nordic PhD students

Speaker: John Airey (MND)

2 Registration

Nordita (Albano Building 3, 6th floor).

12:00 Lunch

Nordic teaching initiatives: Part 1

Convener: Prof. Ivan Khaymovich (Stockholm University, Nordita)

3 Welcome words

Speakers: Prof. Ivan Khaymovich (Stockholm University, Nordita), Stellan Östlund (Göteborgs Universitet)

4 Presentation of Nordita

Speaker: Mikael Fogelström (Stockholm University)

5 Last-year workshop summary

Speaker: Stellan Östlund (Göteborgs Universitet)

6 Master program SU/Nordita

Speaker: Eddy Ardonne (Stockholm University)

7 Icelandic Master program (via Zoom)

Speaker: Jesus Zavala Franco (University of Iceland)

14:30 Coffee break

Nordic teaching initiatives: Part 2

8 Pilot project: Nordita hosted PhD course

Speakers: Florian Niedermann (Stockholm University, Nordita), Dr Sergej Moroz (Karlstad University)

9 Nordic Curriculum

Speaker: Mikael Fogelström (Stockholm University)

10 Discussion

16:25 Coffee break

Pedagogical methods.: Part 1. Motivating (undergraduate) students

11 Motivating blackboard lecturing

Speaker: Fawad Hassan (Stockholm University)

12 Pedagogical methods to motivate Bachelor students

Speaker: Ulf Gran (Chalmers University of Technology)

13 Discussion and mingle at Nordita 6th floor

19:00 Conference Dinner

Friday 16 May

Pedagogical methods.: Part 2. Hybrid and cooperative teaching

14 Hybrid teaching

Speaker: Carlo Canali (Linnaeus University)

15 Cooperative teaching (via Zoom)

Speaker: Prof. Gil Cavalcanti (Utrecht University, board member MasterMath)

10:00 Coffee break

Pedagogical methods.: Part 3. Artificial intelligence in teaching

16 Towards an AI strategy for teaching in higher education

AI tools designed to handle human-computer interactions using text and speech will change the way we study, learn, and how we teach. How can we prepare for the these changes? We must formulate new strategies concerning the use of AI in teaching, examination, initiate the necessary changes in the curriculum, and adapt current policies concerning learning goals and assessment forms. I intend to discuss which questions are most urgent to consider when revising our teaching methods and goals in this way. The long-term aim is to contribute to formulating a relevant AI strategy for teaching in higher education.

Speaker: Bernhard Mehlig (University of Gothenburg)

17 Artificial intelligence for teaching

Speaker: Prof. Bor Gregorcic (Uppsala University)

18 Concluding remarks

Speakers: Prof. Ivan Khaymovich (Stockholm University, Nordita), Stellan Östlund (Göteborgs Universitet)

12:00 Lunch at Proviant

Informal meeting to share experiences with AI and teaching platforms

Convener: Stellan Östlund (Göteborgs Universitet)