Freyja Hreinsdóttir appointed Dean of the School of Education at UI

Freyja Hreinsdóttir, professor of mathematics and mathematics teaching at the Faculty of Subject Teacher Education, has been appointed as Dean of the School of Education for the next five years. She was one of three applicants for the post and assumes the position on July 1.

Freyja completed a bachelor’s degree in mathematics from the University of Iceland in 1986, a master’s degree in the same subject from Northwestern University in the United States, and a PhD in the same subject from the University of Stockholm in 1997. Before completing her PhD, she held a doctoral student position at both Northwestern and the University of Stockholm. Additionally, she completed a teaching certification in mathematics from the University of Iceland in 2011.

Freyja was a substitute associate professor at the University of Stockholm, KTH, and Mälardalens University from 1997 to 1998; a postdoctoral researcher in mathematics at the University of Stockholm from 1998 to 2001; and a specialist in mathematics at the University of Iceland Science Institute from 2001 to 2005. Freyja held an adjunct position at the Iceland College of Education from 2005 to 2006, when she was appointed associate professor, a position she later held in the School of Education at UI following the merging of the University of Iceland and the Iceland College of Education. She was promoted to a professorship in 2021.

Freyja has held numerous positions of trust and leadership within and outside the University of Iceland. Among other roles, she served as director of a study programme, Vice Head of Faculty, and Acting Dean of the Faculty of Education and Pedagogy at the School of Education from 2013 to 2017, and later as Head of the Faculty of Subject Teacher Education from 2018 to 2022. In addition, Freyja has served on numerous boards, committees, councils, and working groups on behalf of the University of Iceland.

Furthermore, Freyja has participated in a variety of collaborative projects both in Iceland and internationally. She has served on the board of SamSTEM since 2023 and on the board of the Nordic GeoGebra Network since 2010, including several years as its chair. Freyja has extensive experience teaching mathematics, including the design and organisation of courses, at four universities across three countries. She has also supervised 13 master’s students and two doctoral students. In addition, she is the author of articles published in international scientific journals as well as book chapters.

“The School of Education plays an important role in Icelandic society through the education of teachers and other professionals, strong research and development activities, and collaboration with schools, teachers, the wider community, and educational authorities. I look forward to working with staff, students, the academic community, and partners throughout the education system to strengthen this important work even further,” says Freyja Hreinsdóttir.

“Freyja takes over a strong faculty that has established itself well in its new location under the steady leadership of the outgoing Dean, Kolbrún Þ. Pálsdóttir. The relocation of the School of Education created opportunities for greater integration and collaboration within the university community, while also strengthening the faculty’s connection to its local environment through its impressive new facilities in Saga as a central hub. It is important that the faculty continues to have strong professional leadership and a clear vision for the continued development and strengthening of teacher education, including in the field of STEM education, which there is growing demand for in society. Freyja possesses valuable experience to lead this work within the School of Education. As I thank Kolbrún Þ. Pálsdóttir for her selfless service on behalf of the School of Education and the University of Iceland, I wish Freyja every success in her new role and look forward to working with her within the leadership team of the University of Iceland,” says Silja Bára.

The School of Education is one of five schools at the University of Iceland, and as is known, its facilities were moved to Saga last year. There are four faculties within the school: The Faculty of Subject Teacher Education, the Faculty of Education and Diversity, the Faculty of Education and Pedagogy and the Faculty of Health Promotion, Sport and Leisure Studies. At the school, there are around 250 members of staff in teaching, research, and administration, and over 2,000 students.