Harald Raaijmakers
Doctoral Student
Unit for Subject Matter Education with specialization in Science and Technology EducationAbout Harald Raaijmakers
Research
I am a doctoral student exploring how people perceive, engage with, and learn from plant life. My research focuses on plant awareness and examines how visual representations of plants and art-based teaching can foster attention, curiosity, and a sense of wonder. A central part of my project looks at botanic gardens as living museums and educational spaces, investigating how their practices and institutional contexts shape public encounters with plants. Through this work, I aim to contribute to more inclusive and imaginative approaches to science education and multispecies storytelling.
My main supervisor is: Dawn Sanders and my co-supervisor is Alexina Thorén Williams
Professional experience
Lecturer in Biology Didactics - Karlstad University, Sweden, 2022-2023: Teaching biology didactics in teacher education programs.
Museum Educator and Educational Programme Developer - Alma Löv Museum of Unexp. Art, Sweden, 2017–2022. Developed and implemented interdisciplinary museum programs for schools, integrating art-based approaches to science education.
Secondary School Science and Mathematics Teacher - Sweden and The Netherlands, 2006–2017: Taught science and mathematics at lower and upper secondary levels; served as head of the mathematics and science department.