DEP. OF EXERCISE > Research > Ongoing research > Sport Politics Welfare > PhD PROJECT > SFN secondary school

Upper secondary school as an innovative health laboratory

Attending upper secondary school is to many young people an upheaval in which they are influenced from many directions, and they often opt out of association activities and healthy alternatives. It is relevant to investigate how secondary schools can take an active part in health work in the same way as primary schools. The empirical base of this study is Rysensteen Gymnasium in Copenhagen. It focuses on pupils, teachers, management and parents and thus has a holistic approach to cultural change in relation to health. The project aims to provide knowledge about how the application of cultural understanding and empowerment as a perspective on change can form the basis of implementing a healthy and physically active lifestyle in the Danish upper secondary school.

The basis for working with health at Rysensteen Gymnasium is a democratic approach, which implies the involvement of students in the process. This is based on the school's vision of creative professionalism, and consequently the project will work with a laboratory way of thinking in all areas. The goal is to provide methods for cultural changes regarding the attitude towards healthy lifestyle in the secondary school. The center of this project is therefore the management’s, teachers’, pupils’ and parents' own understanding of, expectations for, and ideas about how health can be integrated into their everyday lives. Consequently the process of change is based on the target group itself and not already pre-determined methods and guidelines.

Head of project: Stine Frydendal Nielsen

Supervisor: Lone Friis Thing & Laila Ottesen