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Birgit Brock-Utne

Professor Emeritus
Image of Birgit Brock-Utne
Phone +47 22 85 53 94
Room 531
Available hours By appointment
Username
Visiting address Sem Sælands vei 7 0317 Oslo
Postal address P.O. Box 1092 Blindern 0317 Oslo

Background

  • Dr.philos in political science University of Oslo
  • Ph.D in education by review, University of Oslo
  • Cand.polit. from the University of Oslo ( Education, Political sosiology and German)
  • M.Ed. from the University of llinois, Champaign-Urbana
  • Diploma in Teacher Training for the primary and lower secondary school,
  • One year study at Stanford University (art education and political science)

Employment record

  • Independent Consultant in education and development, peace education, curriculum development, multilingualism, gender, education and development (1990–present) Consultancy for save the Children,Norway and NORAD/CASAS in 2011 and 2012
  • Visiting Professor at the Centre for Peace and Conflict Studes, University of Otago,New Zealand, spring of 2012
  • Visiting Professor in peace and development studies Universitat Jaume Primero de Castellon (spring 2011)
  • Visiting Professor in peace and development studies Wartburg College, Iowa (spring 2010)
  • Professor in Education and Development at the University of Oslo( fall 1992 – fall 2008)
  • Director and founder of the M.phil. in Comparative and International Education at the University of Oslo (1998 – 2008)
  • Visiting Professor in peace and development studies Indiana University,( spring 2006)
  • Visiting Professor in Education in Africa University of Hiroshima, Japan( fall 2002)
  • Visiting Professor in peace and development studies, University of Antioch (spring 1992)
  • Visiting Professor in Education at the University of Dar es Salaam, Tanzania (1988 – 1991)
  • Head of Department of Educational Psychology, University of Dar es Salaam (1989-1991)
  • Associate Professor of social eduaction and education and innovation, University of Oslo (1977 – 1988)
  • Deputy Head of the Institute for Educational Research, University of Oslo (1982-1985)
  • Researcher at the Peace Research Instittue of Oslo (1981-1982)
  • Researcher at the Work Research Instittue of Oslo (spring 1977)
  • Research Consultant in the planning division of the Ministry of Education,Norway (1973 – 1976)
  • Lecturer at Tromsø TeacherTraining College, (1966–1973)
  • Teacher in art education at Elverum Teacher College (1964-1966)
  • Teaching Assistant in art Education, University of Illinois (1963-1964)
  • Teacher of German,English, History and Sports at Tynset secondary school (1961–1963)
Tags: Education, Comparative and international studies, Global South

Publications

Desai, Zubeida, Martha Qorro and Birgit Brock-Utne (Eds) (2010) Educational challenges in multilingual societies: LOITASA Phase Two Research. Cape Town: African Minds . (under publication)

Brock-Utne, Birgit, Zubeida Desai and Martha Qorro with Allan Pitman (Eds.) (2010)
Language of Instruction in Tanzania and South Africa – Highlights from a Project.Boston/Rotterdam: Sense Publishers

Brock-Utne, Birgit and Ingse. Skattum (eds) (2009): Languages and Education in Africa: A comparative and transdisciplinary analysis. Oxford: Symposium Books. 2009 paperback 368 pages
Brock-Utne, Birgit and Gunnar Garbo (Eds) (2009) Language is Power. The Implications of Language for Peace and Development.: Dar es Salaam: Mkuki na Nyota. Oxford. African Books Collective. East Lansing : Michigan State University Press..

Prah, Kwesi Kwaa and Birgit Brock-Utne (Eds.) (2009.) Multilingualism - a paradigm shift in African language of instruction polices. Cape Town: CASAS ,

Qorro, Martha, Zubeida Desai and Birgit Brock-Utne (Eds.) (2008). LOITASA reflecting on Phase I and entering Phase II. Dar es Salaam: E & D Vision Publishing Ltd. Distributed overseas by: Oxford: ABC, East Lansing: Michigan State University Press

Brock-Utne, Birgit, Zubeida Desai and Martha Qorro (Eds.) (2006). Focus on Fresh Data on the Language of Instruction Debate in Tanzania and South Africa. Cape Town: African Minds

Brock-Utne, Birgit and Rodney Kofi Hopson (Eds.) (2005)): Languages of instruction for African emancipation: Focus on postcolonial contexts and considerations. Cape Town: CASAS and Dar es Salaam: Mkuki na Nyota. Oxford: African Books Collective. East Lansing: State University of Michigan Press.

Brock-Utne, Birgit, Zubeida Desai and Martha Qorro (Eds.) (2005): LOITASA Research in Progress. Dar es Salaam: KAD Associates. 2004 Brock-Utne, Birgit, Zubeida Desai and Martha Qorro (Eds.) (2004) Researching the Language of Instruction in Tanzania and South Africa. Cape Town: African Minds.Brock-Utne, Birgit, Zubeida Desai and Martha Qorro (Eds.) (2003) Language of Instruction in Tanzania and South Africa. Dar es Salaam: E & D Publishers.

Brock-Utne, Birgit (2000): Whose Education for All? The Recolonization of the African mind? New York/ London: Falmer Press. Reprinted in 2006 by africanabooks.org. Seoul.Homi Publishing.

Brock-Utne, Birgit (l989) Feminist Perspectives on Peace and Peace Educati¬on.New York/Oxford/Toronto/ Sydney/Paris/ Frankfurt:Pergamon Press.200 pp.

Brock-Utne, Birgit (l985): Educating for Peace. A Feminist Perspective.New York/Oxford/Toronto/Sydney/ Paris / Frankfurt:Pergamon Press.l75.pp.¬Reprinted in l987 and in l989.A Korean edition appeared in l986.Published in Seoul.3l5 pp.A Norwegian edition appeared in l987.Oslo:Folke¬reisn¬ing mot krig.206.pp. An Italian edition appeared at the end of l989,published by Edizione Gruppo Abele.

Brock-Utne, Birgit (l982) Rauhan Kasvatus."Rauha saa alkunsa naisten mielissa".(Women and peace.."Peace starts in the minds of women.")-A Finnish translation of a commissioned paper written in English for a UNESCO conference in New Delhi,l98l. Helsinki:Naiset Rauhan Puolesta.lll.pp.Reprinted in l983.

Brock-Utne, Birgit (l981) Ungdomsskoler i Utvikling.(Innovative schools) Oslo/ Bergen/Tromsø: Universitetsforlaget. 255.pp.

Brock-Utne, Birgit (l980) (together with Runa Haukaa). Kunnskap uten Makt. Kvinner som lærere og elever.(Knowledge without power. Women as teachers and pupils)Oslo/Bergen/Tromsø: Universitetsforlaget.222.pp.¬Reprin¬ted l98l and l984. German edition in l986.Wissen ohne Macht.¬Frauen als Lehrerinnen und Schülerinnen.Giessen:Focus Verlag.l95.¬pp.

Brock-Utne, Birgit (l979) (Ed) Fra Ord til Handling. Pedagogisk aksjonsforskning i utdanningssamfunnet. (From Words to Deeds. Educational action research.) Oslo/ Bergen/ Tromsø: Universitetsforlaget.l68.pp.

1970 (under the name Birgit Gaarder) Praktisk Pedagogikk i Lærer-studiet.(Practical pedagogics within teacher training)Oslo::Asche¬houg.207.pp.
 

  • Brock-Utne, Birgit (2026). The application of civil courage to oppose structural violence and defend child-centred education: A Norwegian case study. International Review of Education. ISSN 0020-8566. 72(2). doi: 10.1007/s11159-025-10161-6. Full text in Research Archive
  • Brock-Utne, Birgit (2024). The Transformative Role of Universities—Making the World a Better Place to Live in Embedding Maori Thinking and Concepts such as Ubuntu, Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam,and Chikyu Minzokushugi. In Zadja, Joseph & Brock-Utne, Birgit (Ed.), 4th ed of Globalisation, Education and Policy Research. Springer. ISSN 9783031676666. p. 585–607. doi: 10.1007/978-3-031-67667-3. Full text in Research Archive
  • Brock-Utne, Birgit (2024). Language of instruction as a social marker of difference. In Gurney, Laura & Wedikkarage, Laksman (Ed.), Language Education Policies in Multilingual Settings. Exploring Rhetoric and Realities in Situ. Multilingual Education Yearbook. Springer Nature. ISSN 9783031574832. p. 167–202. Full text in Research Archive
  • Nkwiga, Riziki Charles & Brock-Utne, Birgit (2024). Bottlenecks Teachers face when using an unfamiliar language in rural lower primary classes in Tanzania. World Studies in Education. ISSN 1441-340X. 24(1), p. 20–32. Full text in Research Archive
  • Brock-Utne, Birgit (2023). English as a medium of instruction and research in education: An international and comparative analysis. In Robert, Robert Tierney,; Rizvi,, Fazald & Erkican, Kadriye (Ed.), International Encyclopedia of Education, 4th edition. vol. 1.. Elsevier. ISSN 9780128186305. p. 371–379. Full text in Research Archive
  • Nkwiga, Riziki Charles & Brock-Utne, Birgit (2022). Difficulties Teachers Face When Using an Unfamiliar Language in Rural Lower Primary Classes in Tanzania. Educational Practice and Theory. ISSN 1323-577X. 44(2), p. 55–73. doi: 10.7459/ept/44.2.06. Full text in Research Archive
  • Brock-Utne, Birgit (2022). Globalization and the Issue of language of instruction – examples from Tanzania and Norway. In Zadja, Joseph; Vissing, Yvonne & Majhanovich, Suzanne (Ed.), Globalisation, Ideology and Social Justice Discourses. Globalisation, Comparative Education and Policy Research. Springer Netherlands. ISSN 9783030927738. p. 35–54. doi: 10.1007/978-3-030-92774-5. Full text in Research Archive
  • Brock-Utne, Birgit (2022). The World Wide Language Issue in Education. In Archer, Margaret Scotford; Bæck, Unn-Doris K. & Skinningsrud, Tone (Ed.), The Morphogenesis of the Norwegian Educational System: Emergence and Development.. Routledge. ISSN 9780367756772. p. 211–230. Full text in Research Archive
  • Brock-Utne, Birgit & Vuzo, Mwajuma Siama (2022). The Ambivalent Language-in-Education Policy of Tanzania with Specific Reference to Kiswahili. In Kretzer, Michael & Kaschula, Russell (Ed.), Handbook of Language Policy and Education in Countries of the Southern African Development Community (SADC) A Comparative Perspective on Language Policy and Education.. De Gruyter Brill. ISSN 9789004508057. p. 299–325. Full text in Research Archive
  • Brock-Utne, Birgit (2022). The Language of Instruction in Asia and Africa –Some issues. Sri Lanka Journal of Education. ISSN 2827-7457. 1(1), p. 29–49. Full text in Research Archive
  • Brock-Utne, Birgit (2021). Language-in-Education Policies and Practices in Africa with a Special Focus on Tanzania and South Africa. In Zajda, Joseph & Brock-Utne, Birgit (Ed.), 3rd International Handbook of Globalisation, Education and Policy Research. Springer Netherlands. ISSN 9783030660024. p. 609–627. Full text in Research Archive
  • Brock-Utne, Birgit (2021). En sosialpedagogs tanker om undervisningsspråk. Norsk pedagogisk tidsskrift. ISSN 0029-2052. 105(1), p. 82–92. Full text in Research Archive
  • Brock-Utne, Birgit (2020). En sosialpedagogs tanker om undervisningsspråk. In Lindblom, Per Åke & Rubensson, Arne (Ed.), Språkbytesexperimentet i svensk skola – engelska till varje pris?. Språkförsvaret. ISSN 9789151969176. p. 19–35. Full text in Research Archive
  • Brock-Utne, Birgit (2019). Models of cooperation between a university in Norway and two universities in Africa: An autoethnographic report. In Halvorsen, Tor; Orgeret, Kristin & Krøvel, Roy (Ed.), Sharing knowledge, transforming Societies : The Norhed programme 2013-2020. African Minds. ISSN 9781928502005. p. 379–403. Full text in Research Archive
  • Brock-Utne, Birgit; Halvorsen, Torill Aagot & Vuzo, Mwajuma Siama (2019). The school drop-out or rather “push out” problem in the South and in the North. World Studies in Education. ISSN 1441-340X. 20(2), p. 61–75. doi: 10.7459/wse/20.2.04. Full text in Research Archive
  • Brock-Utne, Birgit (2018). Decolonisation of research in the African University. In Makalela, Leketi (Eds.), Shifting Lenses; Multilanguaging, Decolonisation and Education in the Global South.. CASAS The Centre for Advanced Study of African Society. ISSN 9781920294199. p. 45–66. Full text in Research Archive
  • Brock-Utne, Birgit (2018). Using a narrative approach to researching literacy and non-formal education in Africa and Asia. International Review of Education. ISSN 0020-8566. 64(6), p. 701–711. doi: 10.1007/s11159-018-9755-5. Full text in Research Archive
  • Brock-Utne, Birgit (2018). The English-speaking caste and the drop-out problem. In Brock-Utne, Birgit & Vuzo, Mwajuma Siama (Ed.), Transforming Education for Development in Africa.. Mkuki na Nyota Publishers. ISSN 9789987083503. p. 119–137. Full text in Research Archive
  • Brock-Utne, Birgit (2018). Researching language and culture in Africa using an autoethnographic approach. International Review of Education. ISSN 0020-8566. p. 1–23. doi: 10.1007/s11159-018-9746-6. Full text in Research Archive
  • Brock-Utne, Birgit (2017). Multilingualism in Africa, marginalisation and empowerment. In Coleman, Hywel (Eds.), Multilingualism and Development. British Council. ISSN 9780863558405. p. 64–80. Full text in Research Archive
  • Brock-Utne, Birgit (2017). Decolonisation of knowledge in the African university. In Cross, Michael & Ndofirepi, Amasa (Ed.), Knowledge and Change in African Universities. Brill | Sense. ISSN 9789463008402. p. 161–181. doi: 10.1007/978-94-6300-842-6_10. Full text in Research Archive
  • Brock-Utne, Birgit (2017). Language and identity Reflections by a cultural commutet. In Borjian, Maryam (Eds.), Language and Globalization. An Autoethnographic approach.. Routledge. ISSN 9781138227804. p. 132–144. Full text in Research Archive
  • Skinningsrud, Tone & Brock-Utne, Birgit (2016). Norway: Formal Education and its Role in Education and Development. In Sprague, Terra (Eds.), Education in non-EU countries in Southern and Western Europe. Bloomsbury Academic. ISSN 9781472592491. p. 37–58. doi: 10.5040/9781474243230.ch-002. Full text in Research Archive
  • Brock-Utne, Birgit (2016). The ubuntu paradigm in curriculum work, language of instruction and assessment. International Review of Education. ISSN 0020-8566. 62(1), p. 29–44. doi: 10.1007/s11159-016-9540-2. Full text in Research Archive
  • Brock-Utne, Birgit (2016). Research in Africa using an autoethnographical approach. World Studies in Education. ISSN 1441-340X. 17(2), p. 5–16. doi: 10.7459/wse/17.2.02. Full text in Research Archive
  • Brock-Utne, Birgit (2016). Sicurezza internazionale e linguaggio: un ampliamento del modello di giornalismo di pace. In Salio, Nanni & Michelis, Silvia De (Ed.), Giornalismo di Pace. Gruppo Abele. ISSN 9788865790441. p. 103–130. Full text in Research Archive
  • Brock-Utne, Birgit (2016). English as the language of science and technology. In Babaci-Wilhite, Zehlia (Eds.), Human Rights in Language and STEM Education, Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics. Brill | Sense. ISSN 9789463004039. p. 111–127. Full text in Research Archive
  • Brock-Utne, Birgit (2015). Language, literacy, power and democracy in Africa. Education and Society. ISSN 0726-2655. 33(2), p. 05–24. doi: 10.7459/es/33.2.02. Full text in Research Archive
  • Brock-Utne, Birgit (2015). Language-in-Education Policies and Practices in Africa with a Special Focus on Tanzania and South Africa. In Zadja, Joseph (Eds.), Second international handbook on globalisation, education and policy research. Springer. ISSN 9789401794923. p. 615–633. doi: 10.1007/978-94-017-9493-0_36. Full text in Research Archive
  • Brock-Utne, Birgit (2015). Language, Literacy and Democracy in Africa. In Makalela, Leketi (Eds.), New Directions in Language Literacy Education for Multilingual Classrooms in Africa. CASAS The Centre for Advanced Study of African Society. ISSN 9781920294014. p. 15–38. Full text in Research Archive
  • Brock-Utne, Birgit & Qorro, Martha (2015). Multilingualism and Language in Education in Tanzania. In Yiakoumetti, Androula (Eds.), Multilingualism and Language in Education: Sociolinguistic and Pedagogical Perspectives from Commonwealth Countries. Cambridge University Press. ISSN 9781107574311. p. 19–31. Full text in Research Archive
  • Brock-Utne, Birgit (2014). Part of the solution. In Babaci-Wilhite, Zehlia (Eds.), Giving space to African voices: Rights to local languages and local curriculum. Brill | Sense. ISSN 9789462097322. p. xxi–xxii. Full text in Research Archive
  • Brock-Utne, Birgit (2014). Language as a contributor to post-MDG development perspectives in Africa. In Hamish, McIIwraith (Eds.), Language Rich Africa. Policy dialogue. Looking beyond 2015. British Council. ISSN 9780863557569. p. 114–123. Full text in Research Archive
  • Brock-Utne, Birgit & Mercer, Malcolm (2014). Using African languages for democracy and lifelong learning in Africa: A post-2015 challenge and the work of CASAS. International Review of Education. ISSN 0020-8566. 60(6). doi: 10.1007/s11159-014-9448-7. Full text in Research Archive
  • Brock-Utne, Birgit (2014). Language of instruction in Africa – the most important and least appreciated issue. International Journal of Educational Development in Africa. ISSN 2312-3540. 1(1), p. 4–19. Full text in Research Archive
  • Brock-Utne, Birgit & Mercer, Malcolm (2014). Languages of instruction and the question of education quality in Africa: A post-2015 challenge and the work of CASAS. Compare: A Journal of Comparative and International Education. ISSN 0305-7925. 44(4), p. 676–680. doi: 10.1080/03057925.2014.911979. Full text in Research Archive
  • Brock-Utne, Birgit (2013). Education in 2030: what would education look like in a largely poverty-free world? And how do we get there? In Robertson, Andrew (Eds.), Commonwealth Education Partnerships 2013/14. Nexus. ISSN 9781908609083. p. 99–103. Full text in Research Archive

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Published Oct. 8, 2010 1:12 PM - Last modified Sep. 23, 2016 4:40 PM

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