MARC

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022 |a 2662-2300 
024 7 |a 10.1186/s43031-025-00135-x  |2 doi 
035 |a 3227761137 
045 2 |b d20251201  |b d20251231 
100 1 |a Koerfer, Ebba  |u Uppsala University, Department of Physics and Astronomy, Uppsala, Sweden (GRID:grid.8993.b) (ISNI:0000 0004 1936 9457) 
245 1 |a Teachers’ conceptions of the role of mathematics in STEM higher education 
260 |b Springer Nature B.V.  |c Dec 2025 
513 |a Journal Article 
520 3 |a This empirical study investigates university teachers’ conceptions of the role of mathematics within science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) higher education disciplines, employing a phenomenographic approach to capture variation among perspectives of educators in chemistry, computer science, geoscience, and physics. Despite the significant reliance on mathematics across these disciplines, little is known about how educators conceptualise its role. Our study aims to contribute to this research by performing a phenomenographic analysis of semi-structured interviews with 16 teachers at a Swedish university. Through our analysis, we identified five hierarchically inclusive categories that represent increasingly sophisticated conceptions of the role of mathematics: as a computational tool, a language for communication, a key to understanding, an agent for development, and a philosophical foundation. These categories reflect both the instrumental and intrinsic roles that mathematics plays within other STEM disciplines, extending previous empirical findings that predominantly focus on students’ conceptions. We aim to raise awareness among educators, encouraging reflection on how their conceptions influence teaching and fostering a deliberate consideration of mathematics’ role in instruction. By understanding these varied conceptions, STEM educators can enhance instructional strategies and support student engagement with mathematics in a more meaningful way. 
653 |a Problem solving 
653 |a Teaching 
653 |a Higher education 
653 |a Students 
653 |a Computer science 
653 |a Success 
653 |a Curricula 
653 |a Mathematics education 
653 |a Chemistry 
653 |a University faculty 
653 |a STEM education 
653 |a Influence 
653 |a Teachers 
653 |a Cognition & reasoning 
653 |a Physics 
653 |a Science education 
653 |a Earth science 
653 |a Learning 
653 |a Literacy 
653 |a Educational Practices 
653 |a Educational Research 
653 |a Educational Methods 
653 |a Computer Science Education 
653 |a Mathematics Achievement 
653 |a Numeracy 
653 |a Mathematics Teachers 
653 |a Beliefs 
653 |a Fundamental Concepts 
653 |a Science Curriculum 
653 |a Mathematical Models 
653 |a Engineering Education 
653 |a Cognitive Structures 
653 |a Mathematical Concepts 
653 |a College Science 
653 |a Educational Strategies 
653 |a Programming 
653 |a Calculus 
700 1 |a Polverini, Giulia  |u Uppsala University, Department of Physics and Astronomy, Uppsala, Sweden (GRID:grid.8993.b) (ISNI:0000 0004 1936 9457) 
700 1 |a Elmgren, Maja  |u Uppsala University, Department of Chemistry – Ångström Laboratory, Uppsala, Sweden (GRID:grid.8993.b) (ISNI:0000 0004 1936 9457) 
700 1 |a Eriksson, Lars-Henrik  |u Uppsala University, Department of Information Technology, Uppsala, Sweden (GRID:grid.8993.b) (ISNI:0000 0004 1936 9457) 
700 1 |a Freyhult, Lisa  |u Uppsala University, Department of Physics and Astronomy, Uppsala, Sweden (GRID:grid.8993.b) (ISNI:0000 0004 1936 9457) 
700 1 |a Herbert, Roger B.  |u Uppsala University, Department of Earth Sciences, Uppsala, Sweden (GRID:grid.8993.b) (ISNI:0000 0004 1936 9457) 
700 1 |a Ho, Felix M.  |u Uppsala University, Department of Chemistry – Ångström Laboratory, Uppsala, Sweden (GRID:grid.8993.b) (ISNI:0000 0004 1936 9457) 
700 1 |a Solders, Andreas  |u Uppsala University, Department of Physics and Astronomy, Uppsala, Sweden (GRID:grid.8993.b) (ISNI:0000 0004 1936 9457) 
700 1 |a Eckerdal, Anna  |u Uppsala University, Department of Information Technology, Uppsala, Sweden (GRID:grid.8993.b) (ISNI:0000 0004 1936 9457) 
773 0 |t Disciplinary and Interdisciplinary Science Education Research  |g vol. 7, no. 1 (Dec 2025), p. 15 
786 0 |d ProQuest  |t Science Database 
856 4 1 |3 Citation/Abstract  |u https://www.proquest.com/docview/3227761137/abstract/embedded/L8HZQI7Z43R0LA5T?source=fedsrch 
856 4 0 |3 Full Text  |u https://www.proquest.com/docview/3227761137/fulltext/embedded/L8HZQI7Z43R0LA5T?source=fedsrch 
856 4 0 |3 Full Text - PDF  |u https://www.proquest.com/docview/3227761137/fulltextPDF/embedded/L8HZQI7Z43R0LA5T?source=fedsrch