Felicia Augustsson and Helen Brink, doctoral students in Educational Work at Karlstad University, are two of the three researchers who have received the distinction and research award “Article of the Year 2025” from the Nordic Mensa Fund.
The Nordic Mensa Fund is the result of a long-standing and close collaboration between the national Mensa associations of Sweden, Finland, Norway, and Denmark. The foundation was established in 2020 as a joint project with the aim of fulfilling one of Mensa’s core missions: encouraging research on intelligence. The Nordic Mensa Fund supports scientific research related to medical, psychological, sociological, or educational aspects of intelligence and the human brain. Each year, the foundation awards research prizes and project grants within this field. In 2025, two researchers at Karlstad University are being recognized for their publications, which in different ways illuminate this area in relation to physical activity and technology education.
“My article is a scoping review that maps how research has studied the relationship between academically gifted students and physical activity,” says Felicia Augustsson. “The results show that these students participate in physical activity, including organized sports, at levels comparable to their peers. At the same time, some studies suggest that they may have lower confidence in their physical and athletic abilities, which can influence their experiences of and engagement in physical activity. The review also shows that the research field is methodologically varied but largely atheoretical, dominated by quantitative cross‑sectional studies and lacking in-depth qualitative perspectives. I am very pleased that this research area is receiving attention and see this as encouragement to continue developing knowledge in this field.”
Read Felicia Augustsson’s published article
“My article is a systematic research review that highlights the needs that gifted students may have in technology education,” says Helen Brink. “The results show that they may require complexity, autonomy, authenticity, and support — CAAS. With the support of CAAS, technology education can be developed in a way that meets these needs (both in practice and in research). For me, the award shows that technology education and giftedness are important areas, and I am grateful that they are now receiving attention.”
Read Helen Brink’s published article
The research prize “Article of the Year 2025” consists of €1,000 per article. The third awardee is Ellen Egeland Flø (University of Oslo), who receives the prize for her research on differentiation in STEM subjects based on spatial ability.
Read more about the Mensa Fund
Mensa is an association for people with high IQ and is naturally deeply engaged in questions related to intelligence. The purpose of the foundation is therefore to support research on the nature, characteristics, and applications of intelligence for the benefit of humanity. The research spans physical and medical as well as psychological, sociological, and educational aspects of intelligence and the human brain.
