18-21.08.2024 : ISCHE 45 conference

Our project leader, prof. Ellen Vea Rosnes attended the ISCHE 45 conference taking place on 18-21 August 2024.

Together with Pierre Guidi from Université Sorbonne Paris Cité, Ellen chaired two sessions on ‘History of Education in African Societies’. In one of the sessions Ellen had a presentation on conceptualizations of citizenship in Madagascar at independence which she is working on together with TranCit Madagascar work package leader Helihanta Rajaonarison.

In the second session Ellen and Pierre presented the book History through Narratives of Education in Africa that they had the pleasure of co-editing alongside Jean-Luc Martineau.

One of the standout moments of the conference was the keynote addressed by Pierre Guidi, who demonstrated how African educationalists who wanted to challenge colonial power relations maneuvered strategically and, at times, ambigously to claim a specific educational place. He argued that to address the question of ambiguity is critical for historians of education in the postcolonial world.

Their collaboration has inspired them to take our work further. Together with Florence Wenzek (France) and Orlando Chemane (Mozambique) they proposed an ISCHE standing working group at the General Assembly during the conference. The working group was accepted and will focus on the history of education in African societies. This initiative aims to build on former collaborations, continuing the essential work of exploring and understanding, from below, educational histories across Africa.

22.07.2024 : EU Research magazine publishes an article on TranCit !

The EU Research magazine has just published an article on TranCit. It highlights how the teaching of history in secondary schools has historically promoted citizenship and continues to do so in our increasingly globalized and diverse world.

Key highlights from the article :

1) Historical and contemporary perspectives : The article offers a comprehensive overview of how TranCit will analyse history education as it has evolved to promote citizenship, highlighting key historical milestones and contemporary practices.

2) The role of transloyalties: It explores the concept of transloyalties and its relevance in today’s multicultural classrooms, shedding light on how educators can address the diverse identities of their students.

3) Practical implications for educators: The piece explains how TranCit will provide recommendations for teachers and policymakers on integrating the lessons from TranCit into curriculum design and teaching practices.

15.04.2024 : History through Narratives of Education in Africa

Pr. Ellen Vea Rosnes, our project leader, has contributed as an editor to the newly released book History through Narratives of Education in Africa with Prof. Pierre Giudi and Ass. Prof. Jean-Luc Martineau. Rosnes has also contributed with a chapter in collaboration with Prof. Kalpana Hiralal, TranCit work package leader of South Africa.

Titled Social Histories in Times of Colonization and Post Independence (1920s - 1970s), this volume delves into the diverse and often marginalized narratives of education across ten African countries. By focusing on the voices from "below", this book reveals the dynamic interations and struggles within educational settings during and after colonization.

08.04.2024 - 14.04.2024 : Workshop at the University of Antananarivo and ESSVA, Madagascar

We were happy to gather our international group of researchers for the second time !

We delved into rich discussions with historians and education experts from the civil society at the University of Antananarivo. At ESSVA, our seminar spotlighted the critical theme of inclusion in education. Engaging with teachers and students, we explored the nuances of diversity in the Malagasy education system, witnessing firsthand the passion for learning and progress. Through internal project meetings, we were able to discuss methodological and theoretical perspectives in the project.

16.02.2024 : Workshop at ESSVA, Madagascar

Madagascar Workpackage leader, Associate prof. Helihanta Rajaonarison organised a two-day workshop in Antsirabe (Madagascar) at the Catholic University ESSVA (École Supérieure Spécialisée du Vakinankaratra).

The workshop, designed to explore the profound relationship between history teaching and its impact on the acception of citizenship among pupils, attracted an impressive turnout of 112 enthusiastic participants from ESSVA and eight schools across the region.

30.10.2023 - 03.11.2023 : TranCit launching seminar

We were happy to gather our full group of researchers for the first time !

VID, Norway : Prof. Ellen Vea Rosnes (our project leader), Prof. Øystein Johannessen, Prof. Frieder Ludwig and Associate Prof. Brit Marie Hovland. Our two PhD fellows, Marie Sophie Lafleur-Yallappa and Cliff Chinyama
University of Stavanger, Norway : Prof. Geir Skeie
University of Antananarivo, Madagascar : Associate Prof. Helihanta Rajaonarison
University of KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa : Prof. Kalpana Hiralal
University of Mauritius, Mauritius : PhD fellow Sheetal Sheena Sookrajowa

We were also delighted to host four members of our Advisory Board :
Prof. Eckhardt Fuchs from the Georg-Eckert-Institut
Prof. Johannes Seroto from the University of South Africa
Prof. Janicke Heldal from the Norwegian School of Theology
Prof. Thomas Hylland Eriksen from the University of Oslo (who gave a presentation digitally)

07-10.10.2023 : International Association for Intercultural Education

27.09.2023 : TranCit's first open seminar !
Prof. Audrey Osler (TranCit advisory board member) and Yohan Shanmugaratnam

We were delighted to welcome Prof. Audrey Osler, member of our advisory board. Osler presented her new book Where are you from ? No. Where are you really from ?

On the same day, we hosted Yohan Shanmugaratnam. He presented his new book Hjertet i To - Seks Måneder med Karpe. This event was organised on the occasion of the Norwegian Research Day 2023.
Yohan Shanmugaratnam, TranCit PhD fellow Marie Sophie Lafleur-Yallappa and Saima Naheed, former VID student contributed to the panel discussion.

VID Specialized University, Norway

VID Specialized University undertakes education and research in the fields of health and social sciences, educational science, management, diaconia and theology. It offers approximately 60 programs of study as Bachelor, Master's, and PhD degrees.
VID is a value-based and faith-based specialized university, with an ambition to become a full university by 2028.
Through its study programs, VID educates knowledgeable, reflective, and courageous professional practitioners. VID has a strong research profile within practice-related research, diversity, social inequality and vulnerable groups, and global Christianity.
The letters in VID are a Norwegian acronym for Specialized (Vitenskapelig), International (Internasjonal) and Diaconal (Diakonal).
Its motto is Committed to humanity – locally and globally.

University of Stavanger, Norway

University of Antananarivo, Madagascar

University of KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa

University of Mauritius, Mauritius

The University of Mauritius (abbreviated UoM) is the national university of Mauritius.

Prof. Ellen Vea Rosnes

Rosnes will lead the project at VID, where she is Professor. The bulk of Rosnes’ research is about literacy, education, mission, colonial and postcolonial history, and teachers’ intercultural competence in diverse educational settings. The project leader will provide guidance and supervision to team members and lead the integration and analysation of findings from the different work packages. Rosnes is responsible for Work Package 1: Global Discourse on Global Citizenship Education.

Contact her by email : ellen.rosnes@vid.no

ORCID page

Dr. Helihanta Rajaonarison

Rajaonarison is historian and teacher/trainer from the Department of History at the University of Antananarivo. Her PhD thesis focused on the use photographs in the Malagasy society in the 19th century, and she has published several articles on the subject. She initiated, and has build up, a photo museum in Antananarivo. She is also closely involved with History teaching and youth and in a collective memory project with experienced Malagasy historians aiming to publish an updated “History of Madagascar”. Rajaonarison is responsible for Work Package 2: Citizenship education in history teaching in Madagascar.

Contact her by email : helihanta@gmail.com

Prof. Kalpana Hiralal

Hiralal has done extensive research in history focusing on gender and migration at the School of Social Sciences, University of KwaZulu Natal. She will contribute to the project with her wide knowledge of the African context, gender and migration perspectives. Hiralal is responsible for Work Package 3: Citizenship education in history teaching in South Africa.

Contact her by email : hiralalk@ukzn.ac.za

ORCID page

Lecturer and PhD candidate Sheetal Sheena Sookrajowa

Sookrajowa works at the University of Mauritius, Department of history and political science. Her PhD is connected to the University of Cape Town. Her research focuses on ethnicity, politics, and citizenship education. Sookrajowa is responsible for Work Package 4: Citizenship education in history teaching in Mauritius.

Contact her by email : s.sookrajowa@uom.ac.mu

ORCID page

Associate Prof. Brit Marie Hovland

Hovland is Associate Professor in pedagogy and social history at VID. She has PhD in History of Education. She has conducted textbook analysis, action research and has been a lecturer in history, national building and citizenship education in teacher training. Hovland is responsible for Work Package 5: Citizenship education in history teaching in Norway.

Contact her by email : brit.hovland@vid.no

ORCID page

Prof. Øystein Lund Johannessen

Johannessen is from the Centre for Intercultural Communication, VID. He has conducted research within education and development, intercultural competence and intercultural education.

Contact him by email : oystein.johannessen@vid.no

ORCID page

Prof. Frieder Ludwig

Ludwig is Professor at VID. He is an established researcher in World Christianity and Intercultural History of Christianity with a focus on Africa. He is the project leader of VID’s Excellence in Research projects “Connected Histories - Contested Values. World Lutheranism and Decolonisation : Processes of Transloyalties, 1919-1970” (CHCV) that coined the concept of ‘transloyalties’.

Contact him by email : frieder.ludwig@vid.no

ORCID page

Prof. Geir Skeie

Skeie is Professor at the University of Stavanger and holder of UNESCO Chair in Diversity, Inclusion and Education. His research focuses on intercultural education and religion in education including a focus on inclusion, Human Rights and impartiality in education.

Contact him by email : geir.skeie@uis.no

ORCID page

PhD candidate Marie-Sophie Caroline Lafleur-Yallappa

Lafleur-Yallappa holds a Master’s degree in International Education and Development from OsloMet. Her thesis was about inclusive and universal literacy in the enactment of the latest Mauritian national school reform where a chapter focused on citizenship education and knowledge production. Her PhD research looks at conjunctures between politico-historical turns, formulations, and practices of citizenship education. Her interests are ethnicity, politics, and linguistic and educational policies.

Contact her by email : marie.yallappa@vid.no

PhD candidate Cliff Chinyama

Chinyama has a background in education with a master's in educational research. He has extensive experience teaching in secondary schools, designing teaching and learning resources for secondary school teachers, and action research. His research interests are in comparative education, intercultural education, citizenship education, and action research. He will conduct research on citizenship loyalty and skills in post apartheid South Africa within TranCit project.

Contact him by email : cliff.chinyama@vid.no

ORCID page

Mrs. Agathe Desort

Desort holds a Master’s degree in EU Law and project management certifications. She will oversee website and social media management, ensuring effective dissemination of the project. Additionally, she will spearhead event planning initiatives and handle administrative tasks to support TranCit efficiently.

Contact her by email : agathe.desort@vid.no

RCN : The Research Council of Norway

The Research Council’s aim is to promote a society where research is created, used and shared, and thus contributes to restructuring and enhanced sustainability.

Project number : 334 299
Project page on RCN