Background and experience
I am originally trained as a dagtilbudspædagog (early childhood educator, Copenhagen University College, DK) and hold a Master’s degree in Early Childhood Knowledge (University of Agder). I am currently employed as a PhD Research Fellow working on a project within the field of early childhood education and care. I am strongly committed to communicating about and discussing the profession and the age group 1–6 years, both within the field and in the public sphere. Selected examples of popular science contributions are listed below:
- Brandt, L.A. (2025). Aldersbestemt pedagogikk og dens mulige påvirkninger på barns lekekultur (Age-based pedagogy and its possible influence on children’s play culture). Barnehage.no
- Brandt, L.A. & Menning, S.F. (2024). Aldersinddelte grupper i dagtilbud – Et tegn på effektivisering, standardisering og intensivering af barndommen? (Age-divided groups in early childhood education – a sign of efficiency, standardisation and intensification of childhood?). Pædagogisk Ekstrakt
- Brandt, L.A. (2022, 27 September). Barnehagebarn må smake på tang før de redder havskilpadder (Kindergarten children must taste seaweed before they can save sea turtles). Fædrelandsvennen
For additional contributions, see the section “Other” under “Publications” at the bottom of the page.
Areas of responsibility
I am employed as an Assistant Professor, with responsibilities primarily related to the early childhood teacher education programme. I have teaching experience in pedagogy across all three years of the programme and have also contributed to teaching in the Master’s programme in Early Childhood Knowledge. In addition, I have worked with quality and knowledge development initiatives in the early childhood sector in collaboration with kindergartens, including in Kristiansand Municipality, Vennesla and Iveland Municipalities, as well as the Østre Agder inter-municipal cooperation.
From autumn 2025, I am on leave to pursue a PhD specialising in pedagogy.
I am also:
A member of the Nordic network "Demokrati i barnehagen"
A PhD member of the NORBARN research school
PhD representative for candidates in the Pedagogy specialisation on the PhD Programme Committee at the Faculty of Humanities and Education, University of Agder (2026–).
Elected representative for temporary academic staff on the Faculty Board at the Faculty of Humanities and Education, University of Agder (2026–)
Research
My main research interest is in studying and collaborating with early childhood institutions that organise themselves differently from the mainstream, with a particular focus on how organisational forms shape children’s everyday lives and shared life expressions. In addition, I am interested in children’s literature and work with analyses of representations of diversity from sociological and pedagogical perspectives. I also have an interest in anthrozoology, particularly the interactions between children/young people and animals.
In my doctoral project, I examine children’s culture and relational patterns in age-mixed groups of children, with particular emphasis on children’s own perspectives. The project further develops my interest in age-based pedagogies that depart from the prevailing organisation of peer groups and will result in a monograph.
For results, see “Scientific articles and book chapters” under “Publications” at the bottom of the page.