Research Focus
My research revolves around the theory and practice of evaluation in education, higher education policy, and quality assurance. I am particularly interested in the intersection between governance, institutional development, and the use of evaluation as a tool for learning and accountability. My work often combines theoretical inquiry with practical application, informed by over three decades of teaching and policy engagement in Sweden, the United States, and Iran.
I have contributed to a broad range of evaluation projects—both national and international—focusing on:
– Democratic and evidence-based evaluation
– Institutional quality assurance and performance indicators
– Educational policy reform and governance
– Evaluation methodologies, including mixed methods design
– The development and use of learning outcomes in higher education
– The role of values and rationality in evaluation processes
Selected Projects and Contributions
– Lead evaluator and co-author of several national evaluation reports for the Swedish National Agency for Higher Education (Högskoleverket), including assessments of university-level quality work and subject-specific reviews.
– Participant in Nordic collaborations on evaluation systems and learning outcomes, including work with NOQA (Nordic Quality Assurance Network).
– Scientific advisor in policy evaluation at the Swedish Higher Education Authority (UKÄ), including meta-evaluation of public school assessments.
– Visiting scholar in evaluation research at University of California, Santa Barbara and The Ohio State University.
Current Work
I am currently finalizing a practice-oriented handbook on evaluation, aimed at both professionals and students. The book integrates theoretical reflection and practical guidance, drawing on international literature, my own experience, and feedback from colleagues. It addresses key issues in planning, conducting, and using evaluation in real-world contexts, including methodological choices, stakeholder involvement, and value-based judgments.
Methodological Orientation
My research approach is grounded in both qualitative and quantitative methods, with a particular interest in mixed methods as a way to address complex evaluation questions. I am committed to integrating theory and practice, and to developing evaluations that are context-sensitive, dialogical, and socially relevant.