Education (school, year, degree)
University of Iceland, The Educational Research Institute, 2017, Introduction to Multilevel Modelling using Mplus.
University of Iceland, joint degree from the department of educational studies, and the department of psychology, 2017, Ph.D. in Education
European Association for Research on Adolescence (EARA), 2016, Introduction to Multilevel Modelling and Advanced Applications with Longitudinal Data using R.
University of Utrecht, 2015, advanced SEM course using Mplus (1.5 ECTS)
Háskóli Íslands, 2014, Item Response Theory (IRT) using Mplus and R (10 ECTS)
University of Sheffield, 2013, short course in Latent Growth Curve Modelling (LGCM) using Mplus
University of Sheffield, 2013, short course in Structural Equation Modelling (SEM) using Mplus
University of Sheffield, 2013, short course in Multi Level Modelling (MLM) með SPSS
University of Iceland, 2010, Graduate courses in regression analysis and structural equation modelling (20 ECTS)
University of Oslo, 2006, Master of Science Education + 60 ECTS in Geography
Iceland University of Education, 2003, B.Ed. Mathematics trajectory
University of Helsinki, 2001, exchange student in Finnish and Educational studies for one semester
University of Skövde, 1999, exchange student in Swedish and Computer studies for one semester
Employment (institution, period, description)
University of Iceland, July 2025 – Present, Associate professor in Education Studies
University of Iceland, July 2022 – July 2025, Assistant professor in Education Studies
Visar research ehf., June 2017 – June 2022, Manager and independent scholar.
Holar University, August 2017 – January 2021, part-time teacher in Developmental Psychology (Distance learning).
School of Education HÍ, August 2016 – February 2017, Supervising teacher in Developmental and Educational Psychology.
School of Medicine HÍ, January 2014 – August 2016, Supervising teacher of Developmental and Educational Psychology, supervisor of eight final theses and a researcher in several research projects.
University of Iceland, September 2011 – September 2014, Ph.D. student in Educational research.
Maskina – research company, October 2010- October 2011, Data processing manager.
University of Iceland – School of Education, August 2009 – 2010, Teacher assistant in graduate and undergraduate level.
University of Iceland – School of Education, August 2008 – 2009, Supervising teacher in Quantitative Methodology and Science Education.
Iceland University of Education, September 2007 – 2008, Teacher assistant in graduate and undergraduate level.
Iceland University of Education, January 2007 – 2008, Project manager in research studies programme.
Iceland University of Education, December 2005 – 2007, Researcher in several different research projects (see publications and projects)
Laugalækjarskóli, 2006 – 2008, Science and Mathematics Teaching in an Icelandic secondary school.
The University of Oslo, 2004, Assistant researcher in the Relevance of Science Education (ROSE) project under the guidance of prof. Svein Sjoberg.
Gróður fyrir fólk í Landnámi Ingólfs (GFF), 2003, Coordinator of a science education project for young people in five municipalities on the Reykjanes peninsula (see publications).
Language skills
English, very good
Icelandic, very good
Norwegian, Bokmål, very good
European Association for Research on Learning and Instruction (EARLI)
The European Society for Prevention Research (EUSPR)
The Nordic Educational Research Association (NERA)
Journal Reviewer
Online Journal on Pedagogy and Education (Netla; 8 articles)
Applied Developmental Science (3 articles)
International Journal of Behavioral Development (2 articles)
Journal of Adolescence (2 articles)
Journal of Early Adolescence (5 articles)
The Icelandic Journal of Education (TUUOM; 3 articles)
University of Iceland press (3 chapters)
Child Development (1 article)
Journal of Abnormal Child Psychology (1 article)
Doctoral committees
01.01.2025 Co-advisor in a doctoral committee, Sólveig Edda Ingvarsdóttir
07.07.2023 Specialist in a doctoral committee, Bryndís Jóna Jónsdóttir
18.12.2023 Specialist in a doctoral committee, Auður Björgvinsdóttir
13.04.2022 Specialist in a doctoral committee, Guðrún Björg Ragnarsdóttir
31.10.2022 Co-advisor in a doctoral committee, Amelia Larimer
Mentoring/Advising
Graduate students
15.5.2026 Systematic phonics instruction and peer-assisted learning:
Evidence of positive effects on reading skills in Grade 1. Erla Rán Kjartansdóttir
12.5.2026 Adolescent well-being: The importance of teacher support for school belonging. Harpa Björgvinsdóttir
13.5.2025 Implementation of reading homework in 1st grade: Teacher’s ideas on unequal opportunities. Jóhanna María Bjarnadóttir
07.08.2024 Mathematics teaching in the east region of Iceland : professional content knowledge and development in five primary schools. Karen Sveinsdóttir
01.06.2024 Interest in mathematics in adolescence: Relations to basic psychological needs. Fjölnir Brynjarsson
01.06.2023 Inclusive early childhood education: The importance of promoting children’s belonging Guðrún Jóna Þrastardóttir
27.6.2022 Kindergarten teacher´s commitment to their workplace. Rakel Ýr Isaksen.
28.6.2017 I can, and I will: Drama in education and youths’ confidence. Elísabeth Lind Ingólfsdóttir
28.6.2017 The gender gap in reading comprehension: The role of student engagement. Sigrún Jónatansdóttir
15.9.2016 The role of compulsory school in future educational attainment: “Every year counts.”. Lýdía Kristín Sigurðardóttir
9.9.2016 Comparison of postive behaviour support strategies. Lilja Írena H. Guðnadóttir
19.6.2015 Participation in organized sports and its relation to well-being and behaviour. Elín Anna Baldursdóttir
28.5.2015 School engagement and the relation with positive youth development and depressive symptoms among adolescents. Theódóra Gunnarsdóttir
17.7.2013 School-related motivation and self-efficacy for self-regulated learning. Elsa Lyng Magnúsdóttir
12.5.2010 Fieldtrips of primary school students. Guðrún Ásgeirsdóttir
Undergraduate students
01.06.2024 Smartphones in schools: Relations with adolescents well being. Eydís Eva Þórisdóttir
31.8.2016 Why books?: The relation between number of books at home and reading motivation. Linda Rós Eðvarðsdóttir
10.5.2016 The relation between intentional self-regulation and academic achievement. Pálína Axelsdóttir Njarðvík
3.5.2016 Gender and self-regulation: Do girls and boys in adolescence have equal self-regulation skills?. Sólveig Indíana Guðmundsdóttir
25.4.2016 The relation between perceived competence and participation in sports. Íris Harpa Stefánsdóttir
20.4.2016 The link between physical exercise and self-esteem. Does regular physical exercise promote self-esteem among 15-16 year old students?. Agnar Þórður Úlfsson
28.1.2016 The relation between social economic status and school engagement, Elín Broddadóttir
2.5.2015 Do irregular sleeping patterns predict symptoms of depression and anxiety among adolescents?. Einar Friðriksson
External examiner
University of Iceland, Faculty of Social and Human Sciences (2 theses)
Awards & Grants
2024 Research Grant. Co-applicant with Dr. Anna-Lind Pétursdóttir. Assessing the effects of classroom management on students and teachers in Iceland. The Icelandic Research Fund.
2023 Reaseach Grant. Co-applicant with Dr. Sif Einarsdóttir. Fires Within: The Development of Interests, Personality, and Life Values and Their Influence on Life and Work from Adolescence to Adulthood. The Icelandic Research Fund.
Mar 2016 Award: SRA Emerging Scholar Student Travel Award
Sep 2015 Scholarship: University of Iceland – Graduate School
May 2015 Scholarship: SRA Summer School Atlanta
Sep 2011 Scholarship: University of Iceland Doctoral Fund
May 2009 Award: University of Iceland – Applied Science Award
Sep 2003 Scholarship: The Research Council of Norway
Jun 2003 Grant: Icelandic Student Innovation Fund