The Future of Education
Birgitta Thorslund
Institution: Linköping University
Country: Sweden
Birgitta Thorslund is an Associate Professor of Cognitive Science at Linköping University.
She earned her degree in Engineering Physics and Electrical Engineering, with a focus on Biomedical Engineering, in 2003. Following this, she spent 20 years at the Swedish National Road and Transport Research Institute (VTI), where her work centered on human factors research related to traffic safety. During her time at VTI, she also completed a Master’s degree in Ergonomics, a PhD in Disability Research, and later achieved her docent qualification in Cognitive Science.
Birgitta has successfully secured both national and international research funding and is an experienced project leader. In 2011, she initiated a unique Swedish collaboration among train driver educators and operators, focused on the use of driving simulators for training and education—a concept that remains highly valued and effective today.
Since 2022, she has been based at the Cognition and Interaction Lab within the Department of Computer and Information Science at Linköping University. Her research primarily focuses on two areas: traffic safety with an emphasis on education and training, and human factors in train driving. She currently supervises three PhD students and leads several courses in higher education.
Some of Birgittas recent publications include:
Thorslund, B., Lidestam, B. (2025). Self-reported Challenges in the Driving License Process for Adolescents with ADHD and ASD. Transportations Research Part F, (in press).
Rosberg, T., Thorslund, B. (2025). Effects of European Rail Traffic Management System Onboard Version on Running Time, Driver Target Braking, and Driver Workload. Transportation Research Record.
Thorslund, B., Thellman, S., Nyberg, V., & Selander, H. (2023). Simulator-based driving test prescreening as a complement to driver testing - Toward safer and more risk-aware drivers. Accident Analysis and Prevention, 194.
Rosberg, T., & Thorslund, B. (2023). Impact on driver behavior from ERTMS speed-filtering. Journal of Rail Transport Planning & Management, 26.
Olsson, N., Lidestam, B., & Thorslund, B. (2023). Effect of Train-Driving Simulator Practice in the European Rail Traffic Management System. Transportation Research Record, 2677.
Fredin-Knutzén, J., Olsson, N., Rosberg, T., Thorslund, B., & Lidestam, B. (2023). Train drivers’ work-related stress and job satisfaction. Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, 65.
Areas of expertise: Traffic Safety, Humans Factors, Assessment and evaluation, Higher education, Vocational training.
She earned her degree in Engineering Physics and Electrical Engineering, with a focus on Biomedical Engineering, in 2003. Following this, she spent 20 years at the Swedish National Road and Transport Research Institute (VTI), where her work centered on human factors research related to traffic safety. During her time at VTI, she also completed a Master’s degree in Ergonomics, a PhD in Disability Research, and later achieved her docent qualification in Cognitive Science.
Birgitta has successfully secured both national and international research funding and is an experienced project leader. In 2011, she initiated a unique Swedish collaboration among train driver educators and operators, focused on the use of driving simulators for training and education—a concept that remains highly valued and effective today.
Since 2022, she has been based at the Cognition and Interaction Lab within the Department of Computer and Information Science at Linköping University. Her research primarily focuses on two areas: traffic safety with an emphasis on education and training, and human factors in train driving. She currently supervises three PhD students and leads several courses in higher education.
Some of Birgittas recent publications include:
Thorslund, B., Lidestam, B. (2025). Self-reported Challenges in the Driving License Process for Adolescents with ADHD and ASD. Transportations Research Part F, (in press).
Rosberg, T., Thorslund, B. (2025). Effects of European Rail Traffic Management System Onboard Version on Running Time, Driver Target Braking, and Driver Workload. Transportation Research Record.
Thorslund, B., Thellman, S., Nyberg, V., & Selander, H. (2023). Simulator-based driving test prescreening as a complement to driver testing - Toward safer and more risk-aware drivers. Accident Analysis and Prevention, 194.
Rosberg, T., & Thorslund, B. (2023). Impact on driver behavior from ERTMS speed-filtering. Journal of Rail Transport Planning & Management, 26.
Olsson, N., Lidestam, B., & Thorslund, B. (2023). Effect of Train-Driving Simulator Practice in the European Rail Traffic Management System. Transportation Research Record, 2677.
Fredin-Knutzén, J., Olsson, N., Rosberg, T., Thorslund, B., & Lidestam, B. (2023). Train drivers’ work-related stress and job satisfaction. Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, 65.
Areas of expertise: Traffic Safety, Humans Factors, Assessment and evaluation, Higher education, Vocational training.
