Pasi Sahlberg

Professor Pasi Sahlberg serves as Professor of Educational Leadership in the Faculty of Education at the University of Melbourne. A Finnish educator, teacher, scholar, and author, he earned his PhD in Educational Sciences from the University of Jyväskylä in 1996 with a dissertation on postmodern perspectives on educational change. He holds a Teacher’s Diploma in Mathematics and Science from the University of Helsinki in 1986, a Master of Science in Mathematics from the University of Turku in 1984, and a Bachelor of Science in Mathematics and Physics from the University of Turku in 1982. Sahlberg began his career as a teacher of mathematics, physics, and chemistry at the University of Helsinki Teacher Training School from 1984 to 1991, while also lecturing at the Department of Teacher Education from 1988 to 1990. He advanced through various roles at Finland’s National Board of Education, including Chief Inspector and Project Director, before directing the Centre for School Development at the University of Helsinki from 2000 to 2002. Internationally, he worked as Senior Education Specialist and Lead Education Specialist at the European Training Foundation in Torino from 2003 to 2009, Director General of the Centre for International Mobility and Cooperation (CIMO) at Finland’s Ministry of Education and Culture from 2009 to 2013, and Visiting Professor of Practice at Harvard Graduate School of Education since 2014.

Sahlberg’s research specializations include educational change, school improvement, and education policy, with a focus on equity and reform. His seminal books include Finnish Lessons: What Can the World Learn from Educational Change in Finland? (2011, translated into 24 languages, winner of the 2013 Grawemeyer Award in Education), Finnish Lessons 3.0 (2021), Let the Children Play: How More Play Will Save Our Schools and Help Children Thrive (2019, co-authored with William Doyle), and In Teachers We Trust: The Finnish Way to World-Class Schools (2021, co-authored with Tim Walker). He has received major awards such as the 2012 Education Award (Finland), 2014 Robert Owen Award (Scotland), 2016 Lego Prize (Denmark), 2017 Rockefeller Foundation Bellagio Resident Fellowship, 2021 Dr Paul Brock Memorial Medal, and 2025 Global Educator Award for Esteemed Teacher Educator from Universiti Pendidikan Sultan Idris. Sahlberg contributed to Australia’s education reform as a member of the Government’s Expert Panel in 2023 and has delivered public lectures, including in the University of Melbourne’s Dean’s Lecture Series. His work has influenced global education policy and practices.

Professional Email: pasi.sahlberg@unimelb.edu.au