2026.
Berg Brekkhus, Å., & Werler, T. (2024). How can degrowth be a powerful driver for educational change – seen from a Nordic point of view? Nordic Studies in Education, 44(4), 306–320.
The article How can degrowth be a powerful driver for educational change – seen from a Nordic point of view? is awarded the Ahlström Award 2026 for its clear, systematic and timely contribution to contemporary educational thought. The authors offer a compelling and well‑crafted analysis of the concept of degrowth, elucidating its core arguments and demonstrating how these ideas challenge dominant assumptions within Nordic educational discourse. A particular strength of the article lies in its systemic perspective: it shows convincingly how educational change cannot be understood at a single level, but must be approached through interconnected structures, practices and cultural logics. The authors also provide a refreshing forward‑looking perspective, suggesting that Nordic education—precisely because of its critical and democratic heritage—may serve as a guiding context for rethinking education beyond neoliberal growth imperatives. The article addresses an urgent and globally relevant problem: the ways in which education has become entangled with narrow economic goals that reinforce unsustainable paradigms. By juxtaposing degrowth thinking with Nordic educational traditions, the authors open an important space for re‑imagining education in more holistic, ethically grounded and ecologically responsible directions. Their work stands out as an original and thought‑provoking contribution that invites further research and debate on how education can meaningfully respond to the existential challenges and threats of our time.