Educational provisions for gifted/highly able students in inclusive educational systems: Gifted education doctoral programme for teacher educators

The focus of the doctoral programme is to build high quality research capacity in the field of inclusive gifted education in Sweden.

The programme themes are (1) giftedness and learning theories, (2) gifted education didactics and differentiation in preschool and school and (3) gifted students´ mental health. In the programme, nine PhD students - who are involved in teacher education - are funded.

The programme is led by Professor Margrain at Karlstad University with a steering group including researchers from Stockholm University and Mälardalen University. An advisory group is established.

Doctoral supervisors and support include national, Nordic and other international experts in inclusive gifted education.

The programme of research activities includes PhD seminars, three new third-cycle courses addressing the three themes, conferences and international collaborations, contributing to nurturing a new, vital research environment.

PhDs investigate inclusive gifted education didactics (n=2), inclusive gifted special education (n=2), multidisciplinary gifted educational work (n=3), and gifted child and adolescent mental health issues, relevant to educational provisions (n=2).

Significance includes policies stating that giftedness is to be promoted in educational systems, which requires knowledge on adaptations as stimulation and differentiation; present inadequate coverage of the topic in teacher education; risks for students´ underachievement and their mental health.