NordForsk has a long-standing tradition of promoting Nordic research collaboration in the field of education. This commitment has been realised primarily through the Education for Tomorrow initiative, launched in 2012. Since then, the initiative has served as a central arena for cooperation within the educational sciences, supporting high-quality research with impact reaching well beyond academia.
The initiative set out to generate new knowledge about Nordic educational systems and strengthen their capacity to respond to societal needs. Its key objectives were to reinforce the Nordic position in educational research, contribute to evidence-based policymaking through socially relevant research, and ensure broad dissemination of results to diverse stakeholders.
In 2018, the initiative funded a Nordic Centre of Excellence (NCoE) bringing together research institutions from all five Nordic countries. Through extensive video-based classroom materials, the NCoE Quality in Nordic Teaching (QUINT) created a unique foundation for comparative classroom research. Its work has advanced teacher education across the region, producing both significant scientific contributions and tangible social impact.
NordForsk is highly satisfied with the outcomes of both the initiative as a whole and QUINT in particular. Education for Tomorrow has strengthened Nordic educational research and provided valuable insights for practice and policy. This report highlights the impressive output from the QUINT centre—both in terms of academic publications and social impact and the close collaboration it fostered between researchers and practitioners.
Looking ahead, continued support for collaborative research in educational sciences remains crucial. NordForsk provides an indispensable platform for crossnational cooperation in a field where funding opportunities at the European level are limited. Sustained investment will further enhance the quality and impact of Nordic educational research, ensuring its relevance for educational systems facing future societal challenges.
Arne Flåøyen
Director of NordForsk