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Studying school absenteeism and organizational structures

Right now, Ema is launching a new project on school absenteeism, exploring the short- and long-term effects of different absence patterns. At the same time, she studies how municipalities work systematically to improve school performance - from reversing negative results to building sustainable quality systems that strengthen all schools, not just individual ones.

“Schools don't exist in isolation - they are part of a broader chain of responsibility. What happens at one level shapes the next,” Ema explains.

Her research highlights the importance of the municipal level (school owners, directors, superintendents) as a "middle layer" between individual schools and national governance. By understanding this level better, she hopes to uncover what makes some schools more successful than others in improving learning outcomes.

Why it matters

For Ema, the motivation is clear: improving equity across schools.

“It's crucial that children and young people encounter an equitable school, where background and parental resources don't determine outcomes. The work of the municipality is central here,” she says.

Her work also builds on related fields such as leadership, principals' pedagogical leadership, teacher collaboration, organizational structures, and strategies for turning around struggling schools.

From theory to practice

Ema hopes her research will contribute to both better school results and greater equity:

“If we can make visible how municipalities succeed in creating improvement, these insights can spread and be used by others. In the end, it's the education providers themselves that must do the work, but research can provide valuable input and direction.”

Looking ahead, she wants her work to deepen our understanding of the often-overlooked middle level in education systems.

“We talk a lot about schools and national policy, but not enough about the organizational structures in between. Strengthening this level can make a huge difference for both students and teachers.”

Ema Demir. Photo: Johanna Ståhlberg

A teacher's path to research

Ema's background as a teacher strongly shapes her academic journey:

“I've always been interested in how schools are organized and how we can create better conditions for both teachers and students. Structures that allow teachers to collaborate and exchange knowledge are absolutely vital.”

Her very first research proposal - on whether subject-based or team-based structures best support teacher collaboration and student outcomes - led her into a research career.

Beyond research

What inspires her outside academia?

Ema enjoys singing in a chamber choir and draws inspiration from works like Jonathan Haidt’s The Anxious Generation and the film Dead Poets Society.

What she finds most rewarding about being a researcher, however, is when her work makes a difference:

“Seeing research results translated into practice, picked up and used in ways that have a positive impact - that’s when I feel happiest.”

Learn more

You can read more about Ema Demir's work on her research profile at ������ and explore related projects at CELE - Research.