Personal profile
Description of research and teaching
Dr. Jari Lavonen is an Emeritus Professor of Physics and Chemistry Education at the University of Helsinki, Finland. He has recently served as a director of the National Teacher Education Forum and as chair of the Finnish Matriculation Examination Board. He is a Distinguished Visiting Professor at the University of Johannesburg and a Visiting Professor at the University of Tartu. Since 1985, he has researched science and technology education and teacher training, with primary interests in science and technology teaching and learning, curriculum development, teacher education, and the use of digital tools in education. He has published a total of 315 refereed scientific papers in journals and books, 140 other articles, and 185 books related to science teacher education or science education. He has also been active in international consulting, including work on the renewal of teacher education in countries such as Norway, Peru, South Africa, and Saudi Arabia.
Fields of Science
- 516 Educational sciences
- Science education
- Motivation
- curriculum research
Collaborations and top research areas from the last five years
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Coherence in Science Teacher Education: Integrating visions of coherent science teaching into supervised teaching practice through supportive tools
Hämäläinen, H., Turkkila, M. V. P., Kesler, M., Lavonen, J., Juuti, K. & Laherto, A., 24 Mar 2026, In: Nordina : Nordic studies in science education. 2026, 1, p. 109-130 22 p.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › Scientific › peer-review
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Living Labs for Enhanced Student Learning Experiences: Lab Leaders' Perceptions on Learning Environments and Stakeholder Collaboration
Makofane, M., Kanyane, L. R., Igugu, H. O., Muthelo, R. G., Sewpersad, S., Niemi, H. & Lavonen, J., 21 Apr 2026, In: Education Sciences. 16, 4, 21 p., 660.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › Scientific › peer-review
Open Access -
Students’ attitudes towards climate change and their science career aspirations as predictors of situational motivation and knowledge
Niikkonen, I. A., Vesterinen, V.-M., Vilhunen, E. & Lavonen, J., 13 Apr 2026, In: Environmental Education Research. 21 p.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › Scientific › peer-review
Open AccessFile -
Students’ Situational Engagement in a Primary School Science Project
Ervelius, P., Lavonen, J., Juuti, K., Ramsaroop, S. & Loukomies, A., 23 Feb 2026, In: International Journal of Science and Mathematics Education. 24, 3, 30 p., 21.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › Scientific › peer-review
Open AccessFile -
Teacher autonomy and agency in Finland: The role of research-based education, collaboration and supportive policies
Lavonen, J., 2026, Paris: Unesco. 30 p. (Education 2030)Research output: Book/Report › Book › Professional
Open AccessFile
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EDUCA: Education for the Future
Huotilainen, M. (Project manager), Lavonen, J. (Project manager), Carpelan, R. (Participant), Elomaa, M. (Participant), Elomaa, M. (Participant), Hatjasalo, E. R. (Participant), Heikkinen, K.-M. E. (Participant), Heikonen, L. (Participant), Heinimäki, O.-P. (Participant), Hietajärvi, L. (Participant), Hotulainen, R. (Participant), Hyyppä, I. (Participant), Irani Ouchbolagh, F. (Participant), Jahnukainen, M. (Participant), Järvinen, J. (Participant), Kalland, M. (Participant), Kallioniemi, A. (Participant), Kostilainen, K. (Participant), Kulmala, S. M. (Participant), Kämper, E. O. O. (Participant), Lahtero, T. J. (Participant), Laine, T. (Participant), Laine, A. (Participant), Li, P.-H. (Participant), Li, P.-H. (Participant), Lindfors, T. (Participant), Lintuvuori, M. (Participant), Maaranen, K. (Participant), Martikainen, S. (Participant), Muta, S.-M. (Participant), Mäkinen, J. A. I. (Participant), Nuutila, K. (Participant), Ruutu, P. P. (Participant), Saarikoski, J. M. (Participant), Stenberg, K. (Participant), Tiilikainen, M. M. K. (Participant), Toyama, H. (Participant), Upadyaya, K. M. (Participant), Uusitalo, R. (Participant), Vilhunen, E. (Participant), Virtanen, P. (Participant), Yu, J. (Participant), Ketonen, E. E. (Scientific coordinator), Kuitunen, H. S. (Scientific coordinator) & Vinni, J. (Scientific coordinator)
01/01/2024 → 30/04/2028
Project: Research Council of Finland: Finnish Flagship Programme
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Niemi: DAIA 2023-2025 VETURI
Niemi, H. (Project manager), Ahonen, L. V. (Participant), Eta, E. A. (Participant), Gorr, N. (Participant), Karkkulainen, E. (Participant), Lavonen, J. (Participant), Myllyviita, A. (Participant), Niu, J. (Participant), Rasa, T. (Participant), Terence Yong, Y. (Participant), Turkkila, M. V. P. (Participant), Vivitsou, M. (Participant) & Mäkelä, J. (Other)
01/11/2023 → 30/11/2025
Project: Business Finland
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Learning of Transversal Competencies in Science Teacher Education in Finland and China
Kesler, M. (CoIlaborator), Lavonen, J. (Project manager) & Wang, Y. (CoIlaborator)
01/09/2023 → 30/06/2024
Project: Research project
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GINTL LDDL: Learning to Design - Designing to Learn
Loukomies, A. (Principal Investigator), Lavonen, J. (Participant), Ervelius, P. S. (Participant) & Vesterinen, V.-M. (Participant)
01/12/2022 → 31/12/2024
Project: Research project
Datasets
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I SEE / FEDORA: Excerpts from essays, transcript of interviews and group discussions on students' future perception. Essays, Finland.
Rasa, T. (Creator), Lavonen, J. (Creator) & Laherto, A. (Creator), Zenodo, 2023
Dataset
Prizes
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Cold Medal, 30 years service for the University of Helsinki, Rector of the University of Helsinki.
Lavonen, J. (Recipient), 2015
Prize: Prizes and awards
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Collaborator of the year 2012. Palmenia, Further Education Center. University of Helsinki.
Lavonen, J. (Recipient), 2012
Prize: Prizes and awards
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Director of the year 2012 at the University of Helsinki
Lavonen, J. (Recipient), 2012
Prize: Prizes and awards
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Distinguished visiting professor at the University of Johannesburg, South Africa
Lavonen, J. (Recipient), 2015
Prize: Prizes and awards
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Doctor of Honoris Causa, the Northeast Normal University, Changchun, China
Lavonen, J. (Recipient), 2016
Prize: Prizes and awards
Activities
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Research in Science & Technological Education (Journal)
Lavonen, J. (Reviewer)
2026Activity: Publication peer-review and editorial work types › Peer review of manuscripts
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International Journal of Science Education (Journal)
Lavonen, J. (Reviewer)
2026Activity: Publication peer-review and editorial work types › Peer review of manuscripts
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Swedish Research Council Vetenskaprådet (External organisation)
Lavonen, J. (Assessment)
2025Activity: Membership types › Membership or other role in review committee
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Shanghai Normal Univ, Shanghai Normal University, Shanghai Key Lab Astrophys
Lavonen, J. (Visiting researcher)
28 Jun 2025 → 2 Jul 2025Activity: Visiting an external institution types › Academic visit to other institution
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Honorary Member of the Finnish Mathematics and Science Education Research Association
Lavonen, J. (Participant)
30 Oct 2025Activity: Other activity types › Prizes and awards - Prizes and awards
Press/Media
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What Do SEALs and Finnish Teachers Have in Common?
28/12/2020
1 item of Media coverage
Press/Media: Press / Media
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Creating Wonder: Book Offers New Vision for Learning Science
22/01/2020
1 item of Media coverage
Press/Media: Press / Media
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Creating wonder: Book offers new vision for learning science
15/01/2020
1 item of Media coverage
Press/Media: Press / Media
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CREATING WONDER: BOOK OFFERS NEW VISION FOR LEARNING SCIENCE
15/01/2020
2 items of Media coverage
Press/Media: Press / Media