Lectures & Media
Conferences
Key findings from the Icelandic Youth Study – Compulsory schools 2025. Presentation delivered at the Icelandic Youth Study Symposium, 18 November 2025, Veröld – House of Vigdís, University of Iceland.
Social and emotional skills according to PISA 2022. Presentation delivered at Menntavika, 2–4 October 2025, Sögu, University of Iceland.
Adolescent gambling in Iceland: ESPAD 2024 results. Presentation delivered at Menntavika, 2–4 October 2025, Sögu, University of Iceland.
Self-harm behaviour among young people in Iceland: Prevalence and predictors. Presentation delivered Menntavika, 2–4 October 2025, Sögu, University of Iceland.
Moral and citizenship education in Iceland: A historical and contemporary perspective. Presentation delivered at the Association for Moral Education (AME) 2025 conference, 7–9 August 2025, Tampere University, Finland.
How can we empower children and youth to ignite their passion and discover their true selves as individuals and active members of society? Keynote 2 at the GELYDA conference (extended education), 11–13 June 2025, Veröld – House of Vigdís, University of Iceland. Keynote speakers: (1) Andreas Schleicher (OECD Director for Education and Skills); (2) Ragný Þóra Guðjohnsen (Associate Professor, University of Iceland); (3) Jakob Frímann Þorsteinsson (Assistant Professor, University of Iceland).
The right of children and young people to be heard, seen, and involved in the Nordic region. Presentation delivered at a Nordic Welfare Council conference, Helsinki, Finland (with Eva Harðardóttir).
How and why you need to involve student councils in your crisis preparedness. Workshop with young people at a Nordic Welfare Council conference, 4–5 June 2025, Helsinki, Finland (with Eva Harðardóttir).
Key pillars of quality in higher education. Authors: Ragný Þóra Guðjohnsen and Lóa Guðrún Gísladóttir. Teaching Academy (Kennsluakademía) – Conference on university teaching, 22 November 2024, Veröld – House of Vigdís, University of Iceland.
What do children and young people say about strengths and challenges in their lives? Presentation delivered at the Icelandic Youth Study Symposium, 12 November 2024, Ceremonial Hall, University of Iceland.
Kynning Mennta- og barnamálaráðuneytis 11. nóvember 2024, Íslenska æskulýðsrannsóknin– Mælaborðsbreytur 2024.
Dagur í lífi barna og ungmenna á Íslandi: Íslenska æskulýðsrannsóknin 2024. Erindi haldið á Farsældarráðstefnu Háskóla Íslands og Mennta- og barnamálaráðuneytisins, Farsæld barna: Áskoranir og tækifæri, 2. október 2024, Þjóðminjasafnið, Reykjavík.
Presentation by the Ministry of Education and Children, 11 November 2024: The Icelandic Youth Study – dashboard indicators 2024.
A day in the life of children and young people in Iceland: The Icelandic Youth Study 2024. Presentation delivered at the University of Iceland and Ministry of Education and Children Prosperity Conference, “Children’s well-being: Challenges and opportunities”, 2 October 2024, National Museum of Iceland, Reykjavík.
Key pillars of quality in higher education. Presentation delivered at Menntavika 2024, session “Universities: Teachers’ perspectives”, 26 September 2024, Sögu, University of Iceland.
Comparative study of young people in upper secondary school and young people outside school: Where do their interests lie and do they have plans for further education? Presentation delivered at Menntavika 2024, session “The Icelandic Youth Study – New findings on children’s and young people’s well-being”, 26 September 2024, Sögu, University of Iceland (with Kolbrún Þ. Pálsdóttir).
Workshop for young people on democratic participation in schools, with particular emphasis on their experiences and discussion of the participation of disabled children in the school community. Presentation delivered at the Nordic Welfare Council Disability Summit, 7–8 October 2024 (with Eva Harðardóttir).
Findings from the Icelandic Youth Study on leisure-time activities. Presentation delivered at the conference “Icelandic Youth Studies 2024: Children’s and young people’s well-being – At the heart of youth work”, 25–26 January 2024, Hilton Reykjavík Nordica.
Children’s knowledge and understanding of democratic concepts and children’s rights: New data and research in Iceland. “Advancing child rights and democratic school environments. Embracing diversity and combating hate speech”, Government of Iceland, Ministry of Education and Children, 16 November 2023, Harpa, Reykjavík.
Trends in depressive symptoms and anxiety among Icelandic compulsory school children and associations with various risk and well-being factors. Presentation delivered at the Icelandic Psychiatric Association Scientific Meeting, 11 November 2023, Fosshótel Stykkishólmur.
Key well-being factors for a diverse group of children and young people: Participation in organised sports and leisure activities. Presentation delivered at the conference “Icelandic Youth Studies 2023 – Well-being, inclusion and youth work”, 10 November 2023.
UNICEF Rights Respecting Schools: Perspectives of school staff in Rights Schools in Iceland on the aims, approaches, and values of the initiative. Presentation delivered at Menntavika 2023, 29 September 2023.
The Icelandic Youth Study: Reading among students in grades 6–10 – which languages do they read in and which language do they prefer for reading? Presentation delivered at Menntavika 2023, 29 September 2023 (with Sigrún Sif Jóelsdóttir and Hans Haraldsson).
A wealth of research opportunities. Presentation at the opening session Menntavika 2023.
Prosperity Assembly (Farsældarþing), 4 September 2023: Findings from the Icelandic Youth Study and foundational research on children’s well-being/prosperity.
The Icelandic Youth Study. Symposium on children’s well-being/prosperity, 16 May 2023.
Quality in higher education: A situated understanding. Presentation delivered at the Teaching Academy Symposium of Iceland’s public universities, Veröld – House of Vigdís, University of Iceland, 26 May 2023.
Research findings on children’s condition and mental health in Iceland. Virtual conference of the WERA International research network in extended education, 3–4 November 2022.
Citizenship education and children’s human rights. Presentation delivered at a symposium in honour of Guðmundur Heiðar Frímannsson, Professor Emeritus, University of Akureyri, 14 October 2022.
How do I manage to be a role-model parent and keep all the balls in the air? Presentation delivered at the School of Education symposium, Menntavika 2022, University of Iceland, 7 October 2022.
Communication and relationships between teachers and students. Presentation delivered at the Teaching Academy Symposium of Iceland’s public universities, Veröld – House of Vigdís, University of Iceland, 23 May 2022 (theme: university teaching).
Analysing the places and spaces for human rights in formal education. Panel participant, NERA conference, 1–3 June 2022 (with Sue Gollifer).
How do adolescents’ well-being and the quality of relationships with parents matter for the development of alcohol and cannabis use during adolescence? Presentation delivered at Education Week (Menntavika) 2021, University of Iceland, 15 October 2021.
Students’, teachers’, and leaders’ views on the quality of learning and teaching: A case study. Presentation delivered at Þjóðarspegill 2021, University of Iceland, 29 October 2021 (with Eygló Rúnarsdóttir).
Students’, teachers’, and leaders’ views on the assessment of teaching and learning quality: A case study. Presentation delivered at Þjóðarspegill 2021, University of Iceland, 29 October 2021 (with Védís Grönvold).
Sustainability, civic and moral education in a pluralistic democracy. Presentation delivered at the Association for Moral Education Conference (AME) 2020, “Morality, Environmental Sustainability, and Education”, session “The Self, Virtue and Public Life” (online due to COVID-19), 28 October – 1 November 2020 (with Sigrún Aðalbjarnardóttir).
Democratic practices and human rights education in Icelandic compulsory schools. Presentation delivered at Education Week (Menntavika) 2020, session “Democracy, sustainability and moral values”, University of Iceland, 1–2 October 2020 (with Sigrún Aðalbjarnardóttir).
Réttindasmiðja (Rights Workshop): Practical and accessible teaching materials for children’s rights education. Presentation delivered at Education Week (Menntavika) 2020, session “Democracy, sustainability and moral values”, University of Iceland, 1–2 October 2020 (with Hanna Borg Jónsdóttir).
Young people’s participation in volunteering – a pathway to development. Presentation delivered at a symposium in honour of Sigrún Aðalbjarnardóttir, Professor Emeritus, University of Iceland, 14 November 2019.
The University of Iceland policy on teaching and learning quality: School of Education staff perspectives on aims and implementation. Presentation delivered at Menntavika 2019, session “Universities – staff”, University of Iceland, 4 October 2019 (with Guðrún Geirsdóttir).
“Superman – a role-model citizen, or did he never learn to live in peace?” Civic values among young people – the role of parents. Presentation delivered at Menntavika 2019, session “It helps to be able to talk to someone who understands you”, hosted by the Children and Youth Lifestyles Research Centre, University of Iceland, 4 October 2019 (with Sigrún Aðalbjarnardóttir).
How can we strengthen young people’s empathy in a world of conflicts? The role of parenting style and volunteering. Presentation delivered at the Association for Moral Education Conference (AME) 2018, University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain, 8–10 November 2018 (with Sigrún Aðalbjarnardóttir).
What is emotional distress? Presentation delivered at Þjóðarspegill 2018, session “Children’s emotional distress”, University of Iceland, 26 October 2018.
“Respect matters so that both parties feel well”: A qualitative study on sexual health among young men. Presentation delivered at Þjóðarspegill 2018, session “Sexual health in contemporary society”, University of Iceland, 26 October 2018 (with Lóa Guðrún Gísladóttir and Sóley S. Bender).
Mindfulness for children with behavioural difficulties: “Teaches the individual to recognise their feelings”. Presentation delivered at Þjóðarspegill 2018, session “Children’s emotional distress”, University of Iceland, 26 October 2018 (with Hrafnhildur Hlín Hjartardóttir).
How can we strengthen young people’s empathy in contemporary society? Presentation delivered at Menntavika 2018, session “Hold my hand and don’t let go”, hosted by the Children and Youth Lifestyles Research Centre, University of Iceland, 12 October 2018.
“An opportunity worth a million dollars”: The value of musical theatre participation during adolescence. Presentation delivered at “Icelandic Youth Studies 2017: Health promotion and leisure”, Hlégarður, Mosfellsbær, 17 November 2017.
Parent–child communication: Young people’s voices. Presentation delivered at Þjóðarspegill 2017, University of Iceland, 2 November 2017 (with Sigrún Aðalbjarnardóttir).
Democratic teaching practices and parents. Presentation delivered at Menntavika 2017, University of Iceland, 6 October 2017 (with Sigrún Aðalbjarnardóttir).
The young generation: “They come forward with the answers where we ran aground.” Presentation delivered at the Youth Association of Iceland conference, “Young people and democracy: Not just the future – young people, today’s leaders”, Laugarbakki (Miðfjörður), 5–7 April 2017.
Civic engagement: Expanding definitions of civic participation, their intersections with ethics, and the implications for education. Presentation delivered at AME 2016, Harvard University, Cambridge, USA, 7–11 December 2016 (with Sigrún Aðalbjarnardóttir).
Young people’s views on civic participation: Where do their interests lie and has anything changed? Presentation delivered at “Icelandic Youth Studies 2016”, November 2016 (with Sigrún Aðalbjarnardóttir).
“Since I gained the right to vote, I have always voted to express my opinion.” Young people’s voices. Presentation delivered at Þjóðarspegill 2016, University of Iceland, 28 October 2016 (with Sigrún Aðalbjarnardóttir).
“People put themselves forward to do something for others…” Young people’s views on the aims of civic participation. Presentation delivered at Menntavika 2016, University of Iceland, 7 October 2016 (with Sigrún Aðalbjarnardóttir).
Young people’s volunteering and their concern for the welfare of others. Presentation delivered at the 41st Annual Conference of the Association for Moral Education (AME) 2015, São Paulo, Brazil, 5–7 November 2015 (with Sigrún Aðalbjarnardóttir).
Young people’s expressions of empathy and their views towards civic engagement. Presentation delivered at the 40th Annual Conference of the Association for Moral Education (AME) 2014, Pasadena, California, USA, 6–8 November 2014 (with Sigrún Aðalbjarnardóttir).
Young people’s civic attitudes: Links to parenting practices. Presentation delivered at Þjóðarspegill 2014, University of Iceland, 31 October 2014 (with Sigrún Aðalbjarnardóttir).
Parenting practices and young people’s views on civic participation. Presentation delivered at Education Week (Menntavika) 2014, University of Iceland, 3 October 2014 (with Sigrún Aðalbjarnardóttir).
Empathy among young people and their views on civic participation. Presentation delivered at the University of Iceland Humanities Conference 2014, 15 March 2014.
Volunteer work among young people in Iceland: Their empathy and attitudes towards participation in social movements. Poster and short talk at Þjóðarspegill 2012, University of Iceland, 26 October 2012 (with Sigrún Aðalbjarnardóttir).
Young people’s volunteering – the search for the “right” research design: Mixed methods. Presentation in the doctoral seminar, School of Education, University of Iceland, 27 March 2012.
Young people’s volunteering: Links to empathy and attitudes towards civic participation. Presentation delivered at the School of Education symposium “Research, innovation and development”, University of Iceland, 22 October 2010 (with Sigrún Aðalbjarnardóttir).
Young people’s civic engagement. Presentation delivered at CiCe 2010 (Children’s Identity and Citizenship in Europe), Barcelona, Spain, 20–22 May 2010 (with Sigrún Aðalbjarnardóttir).
Volunteerism, empathy and a good citizen. Presentation delivered at the CiCe Student Conference 2010, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain, 19–20 May 2010.
Young citizens speak about the civic engagement of volunteering. Presentation delivered at NERA (Nordic Educational Research Association), Malmö, Sweden, 10–13 March 2010 (with Sigrún Aðalbjarnardóttir).
Empathy and volunteering: Young people’s experiences. Presentation delivered at the School of Education conference “The child’s entourage – welfare and reality”, University of Iceland, 29–30 October 2009 (with Sigrún Aðalbjarnardóttir).
Young citizens reflecting on volunteering: A case study. Presentation delivered at CiCe 2009, Malmö, Sweden, 21–23 May 2009 (with Sigrún Aðalbjarnardóttir).
For professionals (organisations, institutions, and municipalities)
The protocol for the analysis of the voices of young people now and two decades ago. Presentation at Nordic HBSC Research Collaboration, 27–28 November 2025, Sigtuna, Sweden.
Key findings from the Icelandic Youth Study 2025: Strengths and challenges among children in the Capital Region. Presentation for the Capital Region Prosperity Council, Sveinatunga, Garðabær, 24 November 2025.
Children’s and young people’s well-being in Suðurnes: The Icelandic Youth Study – compulsory schools, spring 2025. Presentation at the Suðurnesjabær Prosperity Assembly, Hljómahöll (Stapi), Reykjanesbær, 20 November 2025.
The Icelandic Youth Study (ÍÆ): Key findings 2025. Presentation at the FÍÆT 40th anniversary symposium, 17 November 2025, Knattspyrnufélagið Þróttur hall, Reykjavík.
Presentation of a report from UNICEF Innocenti. “Making room for children in parents’ lives”, 27 May 2025, Veröld – House of Vigdís.
The Icelandic Youth Study: Findings on participation in sports and leisure activities. Presentation for the boards of UMFÍ and ÍSÍ, Reykjavík, 14 May 2025
Findings from the Icelandic Youth Study in Garðabær compulsory schools. Presentation for professionals in Garðabær, 13 May 2025.
Integration of HBSC into the Icelandic Youth Study: Opportunities and challenges. Presentation for the Nordic Research Collaboration on Positive Mental Health among School-aged Children, Sigtuna, Sweden, 28–30 April 2025.
Violence against children and violence committed by children: Findings from the Icelandic Youth Study. Presentation for the Association of Local Authorities in Iceland, Reykjavík, 25 March 2025.
Student participation opportunities in the Nordic countries: Student councils and promising democratic practices. Presentation at a meeting of the Nordic Welfare Council and the Ombudsman for Children (online via Teams), 19 March 2025.
Findings from the Icelandic Youth Study at the Reykjavík Technical College (Tækniskólinn). Presentation delivered 29 January 2025, Tækniskólinn, Reykjavík.
Alcohol and drug use of Icelandic students in compulsory and upper secondary schools. Presentation for Danish upper secondary principals (GEOcamp), 29 January 2025, Educational Research Institute, University of Iceland.
Findings from the Icelandic Youth Study upper secondary survey (autumn 2024). Presentation for the Ministry of Education and Children and upper secondary school principals in Iceland (Teams), 20 January 2025.
The Icelandic Youth Study: Compulsory and upper secondary surveys – students’ responses on sexual violence. Presentation for the Action Group on Violence against and among children (Teams), 9 January 2025.
The Icelandic Youth Study, spring 2024: What do children and young people say? “Reykjavík for Youth”. Presentation for the Reykjavík City Human Rights and Violence Prevention Council, 10 December 2024.
The Icelandic Youth Study – dashboard indicators. Presentation for the Ministry of Education and Children, 11 November 2024, Reykjavík.
Presentation for the West Centre of Reykjavík City, 23 October 2024: Findings from the Icelandic Youth Study 2024 in neighbourhoods served by the West Centre.
How do we activate the civic power of young people in times of major challenges? Presentation at Political Science Day: Young people and politics, 18 June 2024, Oddi, University of Iceland.
How do we connect through play and cultivate humanity through caring for children and young people? Research Salon of Marguerite of Navarre, 14 March 2024, Department of Education and Diversity, School of Education, University of Iceland (with Lóa Guðrún Gísladóttir).
Protective factors in young people’s lives. Presentation at a staff meeting, Menntaskólinn í Kópavogi, 2 October 2024.
Research findings on students’ social and emotional skills. Presentation in the PISA seminar series at the School of Education, University of Iceland: “Thinking about PISA – Well-being, social competence and students’ attitudes”, 28 February 2024.
Lecture for the Association of Municipalities in Northeast Iceland: The Icelandic Youth Study – well-being indicators in Northeast Iceland, 26 January 2024.
Reykjavík City Human Rights and Violence Prevention Council: Presentation of the Icelandic Youth Study, Reykjavík City Hall, 12 October 2023.
Briefing meeting on Icelandic Youth Study findings for leaders in compulsory schools, leisure services, and social services, University of Iceland, 9 October 2023.
“The Prosperity Act—and then what?” Presentation for Delta Kappa Gamma (international society of women educators), University of Iceland, 9 October 2023.
Welfare Council of Reykjavík: Presentation of the Icelandic Youth Study, Reykjavík City offices, 4 October 2023.
Reykjavík City Council for School and Leisure Services: Presentation of the Icelandic Youth Study, Reykjavík City offices, 25 September 2023.
Children’s and young people’s well-being/prosperity. Presentation for the Prevention Team of Akureyri (Teams), 25 May 2023.
Risk factors for substance use, with emphasis on the role of parents. Presentation for Náum áttum (education and prevention collaboration group), 11 October 2022.
Being a role-model parent with many balls in the air. Presentation for the Icelandic Association in Copenhagen, Jónshús, 18 August 2022.
Teaching priorities for the 2021–2022 academic year. Presentation delivered at the School of Education Teaching Conference, University of Iceland, 23 April 2021.
Don’t give up. Presentation for Akranes as a Health-Promoting Community: Parent education, Tónberg, Akranes, 20 January 2020.
Don’t give up: We need both resilience and softness to live well. Talk hosted by Samfok, Home and School, and the School of Education; event on sleep, resilience and outdoor life among young people, University of Iceland, 14 November 2019.
Children and young people – active in their own well-being and that of others. Talk hosted by the Hafnarfjörður School Council at the symposium “School happiness – symposium on school matters in Hafnarfjörður”, Flensborgarskóli, 12 March 2018.
Accessibility and mobility matter in Garðabær. Talk hosted by the Rotary Club Görðum, Garðabær, March 2010.
Young people’s civic awareness in a democratic society. Talk for students at Fjölbrautaskólinn í Breiðholti, Reykjavík, 2 February 2010 (with Sigrún Aðalbjarnardóttir).
Prevention priorities in the Garðabær municipal work school (Vinnuskóli). Talk for team leaders, Garðaberg, Garðabær, 23 June 2009.
Empathy. Talk for teachers in the research and school development project “Cultivating positive communication”, Children and Youth Lifestyles Research Centre, Sjálandsskóli, Garðabær, 23 March 2009.
Municipal collaboration in prevention. Talk for the Mayor and Education Department of Mosfellsbær, Mosfellsbær Town Hall offices, 18 April 2008.
Respect and care. Panel discussion. Educational meeting of parent associations in Garðabær, Kirkjulundur, Garðabær, 27 March 2008.
A shared vision for working with children in Garðabær. Talk for the Garðabær prevention coordination group, Garðaberg, Garðabær, 24 January 2008.
Garðabær’s prevention policy. Talk for the Garðabær prevention coordination group, Garðaberg, Garðabær, 22 February 2007.
Status of prevention in Garðabær and current projects. Community meeting at Garðatorg, Garðabær, November 2007.
Increase supervision – reduce adolescents’ alcohol use. Talk for the Parents’ Association of Garðaskóli, Garðabær, October 2005.
Alcohol advertising and its effects on children and adolescents. Talk at a morning meeting on alcohol advertising hosted by FRÆ (Education Centre for Addiction Prevention), Grand Hotel, Reykjavík, 30 March 2004.
The Icelandic health care system. Guest lecture at the University of North Carolina, School of Public Health, Chapel Hill, USA, in an MA course (International Health), 2 December 1998.
Organ transplantation, with special reference to patients’ and relatives’ decision-making authority. Talk at an educational meeting for law students, University of Iceland, February 1989.
Media
Adolescent drinking. (2025, November 24). Interview on Kastljós. RÚV.
Mentions likely explanations for unexpected findings. (2025, November 24). Interview on mbl.is.
Increase in adolescent drinking not measured despite indications. (2025, November 19). Interview on RÚV
Results of the Icelandic Youth Study. (2025, November 18). Live broadcast. Vísir.is.
Presentation of the results of the Icelandic Youth Study. (2025, November 18). Interview on Morgunútvarpið, Rás 2, RÚV.
Girls twice as likely to self-harm as boys. (2025, October 4). Interview on RÚV News.
Nearly half of 15-year-olds engage in gambling. (2025, October 3). Interview on Samfélagið, Rás 1, RÚV.
Awareness. (2025, May 27). Lecture delivered on Uppástand, RÚV.
Guðjohnsen, R. Þ. (2024, November 12). The Icelandic Youth Study [Radio interview]. Speglinn, Rás 1, RÚV.
Guðjohnsen, R. Þ. (2024, November 12). The Icelandic Youth Study. [Television interview]. Kastljós, RÚV.
Guðjohnsen, R. Þ. (2024). The Icelandic Youth Study [Radio interview]. Morgunútvarpið, Rás 2, RÚV.
Guðjohnsen, R. Þ. (2024, September 11). Knife carrying among compulsory school students: Prevalence and reasons discussed at Menntakvika [Podcast interview]. Menntavísindakastið.
Serious study on children and adolescents. (2023, September 5). Interview on RÚV.
The Icelandic Youth Study. (2023, September 4). Interview on Kastljós, RÚV.
Adolescent well-being. (2023, September 4). Interview on Speglinn, Rás 1, RÚV
One in six girls in Grade 10 subjected to sexual violence or harassment by an adult. (2023, September 4). Interview on RÚV.
Read sometimes but struggle to reduce time on social media. (2023, September 20). Interview on Heimildin.
Violence becoming everyday and normalized. (2023, May 2). Interview on mbl.is.
Responses to youth violence. (2023). Radio interview on Rás 2.
Poor well-being increases the likelihood of substance use. (2021, November 5). Interview in Fréttablaðið.
Interview on empathy. (2018, October 16). Interview on Samfélagið, Rás 1.
Active citizens work between elections. (2016, October 20). Fréttatíminn.
Youth participation not less, but different. (2016, October 25). Interview on Speglinn, Rás 1, RÚV.
Authoritative parenting practices have positive effects. (2014, October 6). Radio interview on Samfélagið, Rás 1.
Donated 10 million to Syria relief effort. (2013, September 17). Coverage on mbl.is.
Support women in Ethiopia. (2012, July 20). Coverage on mbl.is.
Respect and care promoted in Garðabær compulsory school. (2008, April). Víkurfréttir.
Alcohol advertised under the rose. (2005, July 19). Morgunblaðið.