Ragnvald Holst-Larsen

About

I am an Associate Professor of Vocational Pedagogy at the Institute for Vocational Teacher Education at OsloMet. I teach and supervise in practical-pedagogical education for vocational subjects and in continuing professional development programmes for vocational teachers.

My research focuses on transitions between school and working life, particularly for young people in vulnerable life situations. I am interested in how vocational learning arenas can be developed as inclusive communities of practice, and how participation in work and meaningful activities can contribute to motivation, identity development, and attachment to education and employment.

In my work, I combine educational research with practice-oriented development projects, including within the voluntary sector and labour market inclusion. I am particularly interested in how alternative learning arenas and practice-based initiatives can function as bridges for young people at risk of dropping out of education and working life.

My experience also includes doctoral research conducted over five years at a learning centre, focusing on learning centre didactics. This resulted in my doctoral thesis: A vocational didactic action research project on young people who have dropped out of school but choose the training candidate scheme towards a trade certificate in sales through a learning centre.
https://hdl.handle.net/11250/3183073

The thesis was grounded in 17 years of experience in upper secondary education (both academic and vocational tracks), as well as 30 years of youth work in voluntary organisations.