The Institute for Advanced Study in PBL (IAS PBL) is a cross-faculty unit that aims to strengthen the quality and development of PBL research and practice across AAU. 

IAS PBL serves as a centre for research, knowledge sharing, skill development, collaboration, and innovative practices in PBL. A key role of IAS PBL is to engage and collaborate closely with local environments within all faculties, departments, and organisational units. AAU’s pedagogical approach is deeply rooted in PBL, and we are committed to maintaining, strengthening, and evolving the Aalborg PBL model to benefit students, researchers, staff, and the surrounding community. IAS PBL will be at the forefront of facilitating this ambition in close partnership with the rest of AAU by connecting researchers, research groups, pedagogical development, support, and strategic initiatives.

IAS PBL’s main offices are located in AAU INNOVATE - Science and Innovation Hub in Aalborg, while some of the researchers are located in other parts of the university campuses, including in Copenhagen.

The Institute for Advanced Study in PBL unites researchers and staff from all faculties and includes several research groups and organisational units.

History and Organisation

Problem-based learning is at the very heart of the teaching and learning practices of Aalborg University. Since the university was founded in 1974, problem-based learning has constituted the underlying pedagogical model applied throughout AAU degree programmes, and the basic principles of problem-oriented project-based group work still form an integral part of AAU today. Throughout the university’s history, many research environments focusing on PBL have emerged, and the Institute for Advanced Study in PBL was developed with the ambition to strengthen the synergy between these research environments and other PBL-related environments within the organisation.

The Institute for Advanced Study in PBL was created with the overall ambition to:

• maintain AAU’s unique and clear PBL profile
• maintain and expand the university’s strong research position in PBL
• strengthen the synergy between PBL environments and staff members working with PBL
• ensure the connection between PBL research and PBL practice
• ensure that research breakthroughs inform practice

IAS PBL consists of several groups and units divided into research groups and units connected to different AAU departments and IAS PBL administrative units.