Theoretical plurality for identity research in “mathematics” education – Early career researchers dealing with opportunities and challenges
We are pleased to welcome you to the Workshop on Identity Research in Mathematics Education, which will be held at Linnaeus University in Växjö, Sweden, on the 24th – 25th of June 2026.
This workshop seeks to unite early-career researchers specialising in identity research within “mathematics” education.
About the workshop
The workshop aims to initiate a scientific dialogue and collaboration among international early-career researchers in mathematics education who share a focus on identity research. The aim is to provide the opportunity to address the theoretical and methodological challenges arising in identity research, as well as to allow new theoretical and methodological ideas to emerge.
Over the past few decades, identity research in mathematics education has expanded rapidly, leading to a diversity of theories and frameworks available and utilised in identity research. Research indicates that this plethora of theoretical approaches is not utilised in distinct ways in identity research. On the contrary, several researchers choose to network different theories and utilise multiple theoretical concepts for identity research.
Even though this theoretical plurality is embraced in identity research, which supports multiple understandings of identity, it still poses several research challenges. Early-career researchers in mathematics education face these challenges when they engage with the research process. This is especially relevant when multiple theoretical approaches foreground different conceptualisations of identity, identity justifications, and research results.
We are pleased to announce that lectures will be held by:
- Wolfgang Bock, Associate Professor, Linnaeus University, Sweden
- Andreas Ebbelind, Associate Professor, Linnaeus University, Sweden
The lectures will be open for general participation.
Wolfgang Bock is an associate professor in mathematics at Linnaeus University in Sweden. His research in mathematics has focused on Stochastic Analysis. He has been actively involved in mathematics education research, focusing on STEM modelling activities and projects for lower secondary students and mathematics teacher students, through design-based research. He aims to design STEM courses which include realistic modelling projects and involve students in a modelling process. Wolfgang has actively participated in several commissions and is also highly involved in internationalisation.
Andreas Ebbelind is an associate professor in mathematics education at Linnaeus University in Sweden. His research focuses on the professional identity development and identity work of preschool student teachers, mathematics student teachers, mathematics teachers, and mathematics teacher educators. He aims to understand how their engagement with everyday challenges influences shifts in their professional narratives about themselves. Andreas has been a leader and co-leader of TWG 18: Teacher education and professional development, over the last four CERMEs, as well as an international expert in keynote events and reference groups for professional “identity” development projects abroad.
Registration and participation in the workshop
Participating as an early-career researcher in the workshop involves a 15-minute presentation. All presentations should explicitly address identity-related research in education and mathematics education. An abstract of 200-300 words of the participant’s presentation should be submitted upon registration.
Please register for the workshop by the 25th of May 2026.
Fill in the form below and e-mail to: danai.dafnopoulou@lnu.se
Introducing the identity network in mathematics education
In 2021, following a doctoral summer school (YESS11) in Bolzano, Italy, a small network of doctoral students with research interests in identity work and development was initiated. In 2024, after meeting several doctoral researchers at conferences, a small online network of international early-career (doctoral & post-doctoral) researchers in mathematics education focused on identity was established.
The network was initially comprised of Danai Dafnopoulou (Linnaeus University, Sweden), Lara Gildehaus (University of Klagenfurt, Austria), Soryna Sabbah (Weizmann Institute of Science, Israel), and Kim Locke (University of Auckland, New Zealand) (former member). Later, doctoral researchers Derya Şahin İpek (Eötvös Loránd University, Budapest) and Luca Picariello (University of Salerno, Italy) became regular members of the network. Moreover, Anniina Kettunen (University of Oulu, Finland) occasionally served as an inspiration to the network as an early-career researcher on identity research within the field of education.
The network has been supported by the occasional participation and mentoring of Prof Einat Heyd-Metzuyanim (Technion – Israel Institute of Technology, Israel), Associate Prof Sonja Lutovac (University of Oulu, Finland), Associate Prof Andreas Ebbelind (Linnaeus University, Sweden), and Assistant Prof Annamaria Miranda (University of Salerno, Italy).
The researchers and active members mentioned above will attend and contribute to the workshop.
The workshop will be open to early-career and established researchers from national and international institutions, with a maximum of 15 participants. However, priority will be given to early-career researchers, in line with the workshop’s purpose.
Programme
The program consists of lectures, research presentations, and seminars. The lectures are delivered by experienced researchers in mathematics and mathematics education, offering early-career researchers an opportunity to reflect on the research process and identity research.
The research presentations aim to give early-career researchers an opportunity to present their specific research on identity in mathematics education. Through these presentations, participants will gain insight into one another’s research, providing an essential basis for joint seminar discussions.
The seminars involve collective work and discussion on identity research, addressing theoretical or methodological challenges and opportunities.
Wednesday 24 June 2026
09:30 –10:00 Start of the day and coffee
10:00 –10:15 Welcome to the workshop by Danai Dafnopoulou
10:20 –11:00 Research presentation: Initiating an identity network for early career researchers in mathematics education. Co-negotiating identity in mathematics education research. What has been done so far, and what is the goal of such an initiative for research on identity in mathematics education? Presenters: Danai, Derya, Luca, Soryna, Lara
11:00 –12:30 Research presentations: Participants of the network present their work on identity. Presenters: Danai, Derya, Luca, Soryna, Lara
12:30 –13:30 Lunch
13:30 –14:30 Lecture: Academic career path
Presenter: Associate Professor Wolfgang Bock, expert in internationalisation
14:30 –15:00 Coffee break
15:00 –16:30 Research presentations: Participants present their work on identity
Other early-career researchers will have the opportunity to present their work.
16.30 –17.30 Seminar: Group discussion about the different challenges and possibilities of identity research that emerged during the day. What do we need to tackle next? Moderated by Danai Dafnopoulou
19:00 Joint dinner
Thursday 25 June 2026
08:30 –10:00 Seminar: Senior researchers reflect on early-career researchers’ presentations.
Moderated by Einat Heyd-Metzuyanim, Sonja Lutovac, Andreas Ebbelind, and Annamaria Miranda
10.00 –10:30 Coffee break
10:30 –11:30 Seminar: Working in groups about the theoretical and methodological themes arising during the previous seminar
Moderated by Einat Heyd-Metzuyanim, Sonja Lutovac, Andreas Ebbelind, and Annamaria Miranda
11.30 –12.30 Lecture: Theoretical challenges of identity research in mathematics education
Presenter: Associate Professor Andreas Ebbelind
Involved in international research on teachers’ identity
12:30 –13:30 Lunch
13:30 –14.30 Seminar: Collective discussion about future directions of identity research in mathematics education.
Moderated by Danai Dafnopoulou
14:30 –15:00 Coffee break
15.00 –16.00 Seminar: Next steps - What is the future of the identity network in mathematics education?
Travel and Accommodation
Travel to Växjö
Check Smaland Airport's website to find a suitable flight connection.
You can reach Växjö via flights to Copenhagen Airport/Kastrup and a connecting direct train to Växjö station (approximately 2.5 hours). Travelling by train will take you to Växjö station situated in the city centre.
For travelling between Växjö Småland Airport and Linnaeus University, or Växjö city centre and Linnaeus University, taxi or bus is recommended.
Bus to campus
Bus no 4 takes you from Växjö Småland Airport to Växjö city centre where you change bus for Linnaeus University.
There are several alternatives for travelling by bus between Växjö city centre and Teleborg, where campus is situated. The best option is bus no 3 that goes directly to the university. Other alternatives are to take bus no 1 or bus no 5 to Teleborg centrum, which is located an 8–10 minute walk from the university.
All bus routes are operated by Länstrafiken Kronoberg, see link for timetables.
Accommodation in Växjö
The available accommodation options for your stay in Växjö are the hotels/hostels listed below. We recommend contacting them to make a reservation if you need accommodation.
Hotels in the city centre
Elite Stadshotellet
Kungsgatan 6, Box 198
352 33 Växjö
Book by email: reservation.vaxjo@elite.se
or by phone: +46 470 – 134 00
Website: Elite Stadshotellet
Elite Park Hotel
Västra Esplanaden 10
352 31 Växjö
Book by email: reservation.vaxjo@elite.se
or by phone: +46 470 – 70 22 00
Website: Elite Park Hotel
Clarion Collection Hotel Cardinal
Bäckgatan 10
352 30 Växjö
Book by email: cc.cardinal@choice.se
or by phone: +46 470 – 72 28 00
Website: Clarion Collection Hotel Cardinal
Quality Hotel Royal Corner
Liedbergsgatan 11
352 32 Växjö
Book by email: q.royalcorner@choice.se
or by phone: +46 470 – 70 10 00
Website: Quality Hotel Royal Corner
Hotel Esplanad
Norra Esplanaden 21 A
352 31, Växjö
Book by email info@hotelesplanad.com
or by phone: +46 470 – 70 22 00
Website: Hotel Esplanad
Hotels around the university campus
Teleborgs Slott
Slottsallén
351 96 Växjö
Book by email: info@teleborgsslott.com
or by phone: +46 470 – 34 89 80
Website: Teleborgs Slott
Easy livin' apartment hotel
Fredrik Bondes väg 5
352 56 Växjö
Book via e-mail: easylivin@stubor.se
or via phone: + 46 (0) 76- 89 58 737
Website: Easy Living hotel
If you are looking for more affordable accommodation, we suggest the following hostels:
Skäraton
Väluddevägen 1
352 51 Växjö
Book by email: skaraton@skaraton.com or mattias@skaraton.com
or by phone: +46 70 378 00 95
Website: Skäraton
Bed and Breakfast Södra Lycke
Hagagatan 10
352 35 Växjö
You can book by a registration form via the website
or by phone: +46 70 676 65 06
Website: Bed and Breakfast Södra Lycke
Linnaeus University
Linnaeus University is a modern multi-campus university located in Växjö and Kalmar. It was established in 2010 through the merger of former Växjö University, established in 1970, and Kalmar University, established in 1977.
Nowadays, Linnaeus University comprises 2,200 employees and more than 40,000 students, of whom more than 1,583 are master’s students, and 300 are doctoral students. The university offers around 200 degree programmes across six different faculties and over 35 departments. It offers over 1,500 single-subject courses within arts and humanities, health and life sciences, the social sciences, the natural sciences, technology, and business and economics. There are also a number of different contract educations, like the headmaster training and police education.
Linnaeus University is a creative knowledge environment permeated by global values – internationalisation, equal opportunity, and sustainable development – in research, education, and administration. With 482 international students, Linnaeus University promotes an international environment where people from diverse backgrounds and experiences can meet, and where all students and members of staff subscribe to the principles of equal opportunity and sustainable development.
Research at Linnaeus University is of high quality, both nationally and internationally, and covers a wide range of disciplines with 150 professors involved. It is permeated by a constant striving to set knowledge in motion for sustainable societal development. The research at Linnaeus University has breadth covering approximately 100 research subjects and more than 30 doctoral student subject areas.
Didactics and educational sciences are prominent research areas in which doctoral students are specialised. At Linnaeus University, both theoretical and applied research in mathematics education is conducted. Research concerns the teaching and learning of mathematics at all educational levels from pre-school to university, including teacher education. Through research projects, networks, and assignments from the Swedish National Agency for Education, researchers engage in extensive collaboration with mathematics teachers at all educational levels.
Linnaeus University is a creative and international knowledge environment promoting curiosity, creativity, companionship and utility.