Photo: Tanja Skitovich
Meri Häärä's doctoral research examined how Finnish preservice teachers develop the beliefs, skills, and orientations needed to teach in culturally diverse classrooms, and what role their core beliefs play in that process. The study found that teachers who held more growth mindset-oriented beliefs, believing that all students can grow and develop regardless of their background, showed greater commitment to equity and more enthusiasm for teaching diverse groups, while overall orientations changed little during teacher education. By showing that mindsets are a meaningful lever for change, the research offers teacher educators and schools a concrete and hopeful direction for better supporting both teachers and all our students.
The doctoral dissertation of M.Ed. Meri Häärä in the field of education titled The role of growth mindset for intercultural competence development: A study among Finnish preservice teachers will be publicly examined at the Faculty of Education and Culture at Tampere University on the 23rd of May 2026.
The Opponent will be Docent Katri Jokikokko from the University of Oulu. The Custos will be Docent Inkeri Rissanen from the Faculty of Education and Culture, Tampere University.