ROLE – Research On Learning Environments
The ROLE research group works to create the learning environments of the future - where space, pedagogy and people come together to promote learning.
The research group ROLE (Research On Learning Environments) at the University of Gävle conducts research on educational environments as a whole. The group is based on a didactic and pedagogical perspective and investigates how the physical environment, organization and working methods can interact to create better conditions for learning and teaching in schools and preschools.
Our focus
- Holistic view of educational environments - we see educational environments as dynamic contexts where physical environment, relationships and content interact.
- Didactic focus - we study how the content, methods and goals of teaching are shaped in relation to the possibilities and limitations of the environment.
- Practical relevance - the results are used to develop the schools and preschools of the future, focusing on both students' learning and the staff's work environment.
News from the Research Group
A selection of news from the research group and its members.
- Press release: Millions for research into how AI affects teachers
- Article: Millions to the University for international project on learning environments
- Article: Light and furniture in the creation of future learning environments Link to another website. External link.
- Research visit from Australia: "Want to develop cooperation with the University"
What will tomorrow's learning environments look like?
Anneli Frelin, professor of didactics, describes and shows new learning environments and the opportunities they provide, with a focus on schools.
The recording is made by SVT/UR in the fall of 2021.
Ongoing research projects
New concepts for learning environments of tomorrow
Funders: KKS, Fagerhult and Lekolar
The creation of social values in school buildings
Funder: Vinnova
The LärA-AI Graduate School investigates the impact of generative artificial intelligence (GenAI) on teachers' work environment and professional role.
Innovative and Sustainable Learning Environments (ISLE)
Funder: Erasmus+ Teacher Academy
Funder: ULF
Contact: Tobias Fredlund
Didactic Mapping of Territoriality in Learning Environments
Doctoral project
Contact: Ellinor Bolt
Completed research projects
Funder: Swedish Energy Agency
Sucess factors for functional preschools
Year: 2020-2023
Funder: R&D fund for municipalities' real estate issues
Research study on learning environments
Year: 2020-2022
Funder: R&D fund for municipalities' real estate issues.
The purpose of the research study was to highlight experiences from a municipal school and an independent school's process for determining the organization and working methods based on the respective school's educational idea and the design and use of learning environments that support the schools' educational idea, organization and working methods.
The target group for the results is all professionals involved in the process of planning, building and using learning environments - politicians, strategists and educational and real estate organizations.
Pedagogical evaluation of school environments
Year: 2021-2022
Funder: Ifous/Stockholm City
More information about Pedagogical evaluation of school environments
Report from the project:
Pedagogical evaluation of school environments: Walking tours in four school buildings in the city of Stockholm with an External link.
Appendix: Pedagogical evaluation of school environments External link.
Multifunctional building south Hemlingby
Year: 2019-2020
Funding source: Gavlefastigheter
An innovative and unique project is under development in Södra Hemlingby in Gävle with planned co-utilization of parts of the premises in the same multifunctional building.
Year: 2018-2019
Funder: Swedish Research Council
Network grant for Nordic cooperation within the European network DRAPES External link..
Year: 2017-2020
Funder: Vinnova
Laboratory activity-based school environment in Hudiksvall / Vässa skolan - The Vässa skolan project follows teachers during the process of introducing activity-based learning environments.
Year: 2018-2019
Funder: Ifous
The project, in collaboration with architect Suzanne de Laval, evaluated school environments from different periods.
How to build a sustainability learning environment
Year: 2015-2016
Funder: University of Gävle
The pilot project studied a newly opened school that aimed to reduce segregation.
Year: 2012-2015
Funder: Afa Insurance
Preventing threats and violence in schools through sustainable relationships - a study of teachers' relationship work in the school classroom
The Innovative Learning Environments and Student Experience Scoping Study
Year: 2021-2023
Funder: University of Gävle + other funders
The Innovative Learning Environments and Student Experience Scoping Study External link.
Kontaktpersoner
Contact Anneli Frelin for questions about the research project or read more about her research and see publications in the researcher presentation.
Contact Jan Grannäs if you have questions about the research project or read more about his research and see his publications in the researcher presentation.
Members of the research group
Anneli Frelin External link., Professor
Contact: anneli.frelin@hig.se
Jan Grannäs External link., Associate Professor
Contact: jan.grannas@hig.se
Ellinor Bolt, PhD student
Contact: ellinor.bolt@hig.se
Tobias Fredlund External link., Senior Lecturer
Contact: tobias.fredlund@hig.se
Wenche Mörck Riekki, Assistant Professor
Contact: wenche.morck.riekki@hig.se
Anna Sjölin, PhD student
Contact: anna.sjolin@hig.se
Therese Östlin, lecturer
Contact: therese.ostlin@hig.se
Research program Learning Environments of Tomorrow
The ROLE research group is strongly linked to the Learning Environments of Tomorrow research program, which is part of the Innovative Learning strategic research area.
Theoretical models
We have developed a number of theoretical models for use in research studies and development work. To find out more about each model, click on it and you will be linked to a scientific article.
Direct and indirect educational relationships
Teachers’ evaluations of the affordances in learning environments (TEALE)
Seven themes of flexibility
The 4Co model
The ECSIT model
Publications of the research group
Here you will find a selection of recent publications from the members of the research group.
To see all publications from the research group, visit DiVA External link.
Peer-reviewed articles
Grannäs, Jan, Frelin, Anneli & Östlin, Therese (online) Unpacking flexibility in innovative learning environments - teachers' experiences in practice. Educational Studies. https://doi.org/10.1080/03055698.2024.2448781 External link.
Angelaki, S., Frelin, A., Grannäs, J., Besenecker, U. & Danielsson, C. B. (2024). Methods for inclusive design processes at the early stages of a research project in School Environments. IOP Conf. Ser: Earth Environ. Sci.1320 012027. https://iopscience.iop.org/article/10.1088/1755-1315/1320/1/012027 External link.
Liljestrand, J. (2024) (Non-)Conceptualizations of teaching and learning in innovative learning environments - a meta-narrative review. SN Social Sciences, 4 (57). 10.1007/s43545-024-00856-2 [More information]
Magnusson, L. & Elm, A. (2023). The Entangled Intersection of Children's and Educators' Engagement in the Educational Environment of a Preschool. Early Childhood Education Journal. 10.1007/s10643-023-01533-4 [More information]
Frelin, A. & Grannäs, J. (2022). Teachers' pre-occupancy evaluation of affordances in a multi-zone flexible learning environment - introducing an analytical model. Pedagogy, Culture & Society, 30 (2), 243-259. 10.1080/14681366.2020.1797859 [More information]
Conference papers
Frelin, A., Grannäs, J., Sundholm, M. & van de Meulebrouck, T. (2023). Evaluation of a School Building Program using Pedagogical Walk-throughs. More information]
Frelin, A., Grannäs, J. & Mörck Riekki, W. (2023) Innovative learning environments as a place for examination of the concept of team teaching. [More details]
Reports
Elm, A. & Magnusson, L. (2024). Success factors for functional preschool premises: Final report FOU fund for municipal real estate issues. Stockholm: Swedish Association of Local Authorities and Regions. 80 p. Link External link. [More information]
Elm, A. & Magnusson, L. (2022). Success factors for functional preschool premises: Interim report 2021. Stockholm: Swedish Association of Local Authorities and Regions. 46 p. Link External link. [More information]
Engström, A., Elm, A. & Magnusson, L. (2022). Preschool learning environments: possibilities and limitations. Gävle: 28 p. (FOU-rapport 58) Link External link. [More information]
Frelin, A. & Grannäs, J. (2022). New Learning Environments: From vision to pedagogy in two innovative schools. Stockholm: (Swedish Association of Local Authorities and Regions) Link [More information]
Frelin, A., Grannäs, J., Sundholm, M. & Van de Meulebrouck, T. (2022). Pedagogical evaluation of school environments: Walking tours in four school buildings in the city of Stockholm. Gävle: Gävle University Press. 117 p. (FOU report 57) Link External link. [More information]
Book Chapters
Woolner, Pamela, Frelin, Anneli & Grannäs, Jan (2024) Postdigital manifestations of schooling: Entrenching the old or enabling the new? In: Lamb, James and Carvalho, Lucila (eds) Postdigital Learning Spaces. Towards Convivial, Equitable, and Sustainable Spaces for Learning. Springer.
This page was last updated 2026-06-29