Pia
Kola-Torvinen
Links
Areas of expertise
Biography
Counsellor of Education, Finnish National Agency for Education
Doctoral Researcher, University of Helsinki
Teaching
In my teaching, I focus on analyzing development trends within national education systems, exploring leadership perspectives in the field of education, and promoting inclusion in both teaching and learning. These themes are approached through an integration of theoretical frameworks and practical applications, combining research-based solutions with evidence-informed pedagogical practices. My aim is to foster critical understanding of systemic change, leadership dynamics, and inclusive strategies that enhance educational equity and participation.
Research
My research focuses on how leadership during times of change is manifested across different levels of the comprehensive education system. Methodologically, the study adopts a bottom-up approach, starting from the school leadership level and progressing toward higher administrative structures. The next administrative level is the education provider level, which forms a key linkage connecting schools to local governance and national-level decision-making. The theoretical framework of the research is grounded in complexity and systems thinking, as well as the principle of distributed leadership across the different levels of the system.
In my role as Professor of Practice, I examine perspectives on inclusion and learning within the context of education and upbringing.