"Children are gendered towards different interests as early as preschool"

Hello Annica Gullberg, newly appointed Professor of Technology Education with a focus on preschool, early years, and primary school. Why do you find your research field interesting?

"It gives me the opportunity to contribute to a more inclusive technology education. Identity formation begins early, and research has shown that children can be steered towards different interest areas based on gender as early as preschool. Technology is a subject coded as masculine, whereas care and nursing, for example, are considered feminine. I would argue that this rigid categorisation is often stronger among those who do not work in the field than among many professional engineers.”

"This early sorting of people means that society misses out on diverse competence, and individuals are excluded from a range of possible educational paths. It also affects how technology is perceived, thereby reinforcing norms and values.”

"As a professor in technology education focusing on preschool, early years, and primary school, I have the opportunity to research both the barriers and solutions to transforming the subject so that it becomes engaging and relevant for a wider range of children."

What led you to become a professor of technology education?

"I have a background as a Docent in Biology and have conducted research on biodiversity. But with the climate changes we see today, it is not enough to merely study and understand nature and scientific phenomena. We also need to think of alternative solutions beyond those that have brought us to this point. Technology helps with this, but it is important to remember that it is we, as humans, who control technology – not the other way around."

What do you hope to achieve in your professorship at KTH?

"I have just started in my role as professor and am currently working on a new research application. It revolves around a concept in Science Education called 'Active Competence' (AC). Unfortunately, there is not much research on AC in the context of technology.”

"By incorporating AC into education, we could make the subject of technology more relevant to societal transition and counteract the powerlessness and anxiety that students often feel in response to the threats posed by environmental changes."

"We need to maintain a broad perspective on technology as a subject, rather than holding preconceived ideas about who is suited for it."

What are your favourite aspects of your job?

"It is difficult to rank them, as my favourite tasks can vary – perhaps with the exception of project administration, which always seems to take last place!”

"Researching and writing grant applications can be a demanding and sometimes frustrating process. But then, suddenly, something clicks, and you manage to formulate something valuable – that makes all the effort worthwhile. It is the same with teaching and supervision: it involves a lot of work, but when you can support someone in their learning and see new ideas and solutions emerge, it is fantastic.”

"Both research and teaching are collaborative efforts, and for me, communication is key to my understanding and creativity. Sometimes, the best ideas come up over a coffee break with colleagues while discussing something completely unrelated to research or teaching. That is why it is so important to maintain a broad perspective on technology as a subject, rather than holding preconceived ideas about who is suited for it."

Told to Ulrika Georgsson

*An Active Competent person is committed to solving a social issue, has relevant knowledge of the issue in question and of the democratic processes involved. The person has a critical but positive attitude towards different solutions and has confidence in their own competence and ability to change conditions for the better.