Innovative Research Award
Markus Wilhelm
University of Teacher Education Lucerne (UTE), Switzerland
The Innovative Research Award article documents the academic achievements, research leadership, educational innovation, and scholarly contributions of Markus Wilhelm, Professor of Science Education and sustainability education specialist at the University of Teacher Education Lucerne. His work spans science education, education for sustainable development (ESD), STEM didactics, teacher professional development, interdisciplinary learning, and sustainability-focused educational research. Through leadership of national and international projects, doctoral supervision, curriculum development, and scientific publication activities, Markus Wilhelm has contributed substantially to contemporary educational research and practice.[1][2]
Abstract
Markus Wilhelm is an educational researcher whose academic career combines science education, sustainability education, STEM didactics, environmental studies, and teacher professional development. As Head of the Institute for STEM Didactics and Sustainability and co-holder of the UNESCO Chair for Didactics of Sustainability Science and Political Education, he has contributed to research-based approaches that strengthen sustainability competencies among teachers and learners. His scholarly profile includes research leadership, doctoral supervision, editorial responsibilities, international collaboration, and participation in major funded projects supported by Swiss and European institutions.[2]
Keywords
Science Education; Education for Sustainable Development; STEM Education; Sustainability Science; Teacher Education; Environmental Education; Educational Research; UNESCO Chair; Educational Innovation; Secondary Education.
Introduction
Markus Wilhelm earned degrees in Biology, Biochemistry, Environmental Sciences, Teacher Education, and interdisciplinary science studies from ETH Zürich, the University of Bern, and Swiss teacher education institutions. His academic progression from environmental science and ecology toward science education and sustainability research reflects a multidisciplinary approach to educational innovation. His current responsibilities encompass institutional leadership, postgraduate education, scientific supervision, and the advancement of sustainability-oriented teacher education programs.[3]
Research Profile
Markus Wilhelm’s research profile centers on the design, implementation, and evaluation of high-quality teaching and learning environments in science education and education for sustainable development. His research addresses teacher competencies, digital educational resources, sustainability literacy, interdisciplinary learning, learning laboratories, STEM didactics, and curriculum innovation. Through leadership of nationally funded projects including PURPUR, Tecodis, GLOBE implementation initiatives, sustainability education studies, and educational game development, he has contributed to evidence-based educational practice and policy.[4]
His institutional roles include Professor of Science Education, Head of Master’s programs in science and sustainability education, Honorary Professor at Heidelberg University of Education, and co-holder of the UNESCO Chair dedicated to sustainability science and global citizenship education. These positions support international collaboration and the integration of sustainability principles into teacher education systems.[5]
Research Contributions
Research contributions associated with Markus Wilhelm include advancing theoretical and empirical foundations for sustainability education, developing educational interventions for STEM learning, strengthening teacher competencies in digital resource use, and promoting interdisciplinary educational research. His leadership in projects funded by the Swiss National Science Foundation and other agencies has supported investigations into sustainability competence, educational technology integration, learning environments, and science teaching quality.[6]
- Education for Sustainable Development (ESD) research and implementation.
- Teacher competency development in STEM education.
- Digital learning resources and explainer video pedagogy.
- Science learning laboratories and inquiry-based learning.
- Interdisciplinary and transdisciplinary educational research.
- Doctoral supervision and international research networking.
Publications
The publication record of Markus Wilhelm includes books, journal articles, book chapters, educational resources, conference proceedings, datasets, and scholarly presentations. His publication portfolio reflects sustained contributions to science education, sustainability education, teacher professional development, and educational innovation. Recent scholarly works address sustainability science education, competencies for educational video use, and the integration of sustainable development within teacher education systems, demonstrating the practical and theoretical relevance of his research agenda.[1][7][8][9]
- 15 books and monographs.
- 76 journal articles and reviews.
- 73 book chapters and encyclopedia contributions.
- 43 teaching and learning materials.
- 179 scientific conference contributions.
- 81 academic presentations and lectures.
Research Impact
According to Scopus metrics, Markus Wilhelm has accumulated 83 citations across indexed publications, with 8 documents and an h-index of 4. Beyond bibliometric indicators, his impact is reflected in large-scale educational projects, curriculum innovation, doctoral researcher supervision, editorial service, conference organization, and contributions to sustainability-focused educational transformation. His research has influenced teacher education institutions, professional development programs, and educational policy discussions concerning sustainability and STEM education.[1]
Award Suitability
The Innovative Research Award recognizes sustained scholarly achievement, research leadership, educational innovation, and societal relevance. Markus Wilhelm’s profile aligns with these criteria through his extensive leadership of funded projects, international collaborations, UNESCO Chair activities, editorial contributions, doctoral supervision, and research on sustainability education. His work demonstrates the integration of scientific inquiry, educational practice, and societal challenges within a coherent academic framework that supports future-oriented teacher education and sustainability literacy.[2][6]
Conclusion
Markus Wilhelm has established a multidisciplinary academic profile connecting science education, sustainability science, teacher education, and educational research. Through institutional leadership, international collaboration, scholarly publication, project management, and doctoral supervision, he has contributed to advancing evidence-based educational practice. His work continues to support the development of sustainability competencies and innovative educational approaches within Swiss and international educational contexts.[1][3]
External Links
References
- Elsevier. (n.d.). Scopus author details: Markus Wilhelm, Author ID 58379604000. Scopus.https://www.scopus.com/authid/detail.uri?authorId=58379604000
- University of Teacher Education Lucerne. (n.d.). Markus Wilhelm: Academic profile and institutional responsibilities. https://www.phlu.ch/markus-wilhelm.html
- ORCID. (n.d.). Markus Wilhelm ORCID record. https://orcid.org/0000-0001-7846-5519
- Swiss National Science Foundation and institutional project records. Research projects in sustainability education, STEM education and teacher competencies. https://www.phlu.ch/markus-wilhelm.html
- University of Teacher Education Lucerne. UNESCO Chair for Didactics of Sustainability Science and Political Education. https://www.phlu.ch/faecher-und-schwerpunkte/nachhaltigkeit/unesco-lehrstuhl.html
- Budmiger, M., Theiler, R., Grob, R., Rehm, M., & Wilhelm, M. (2026). Teaching sustainability: Educational approaches in light of sustainability science. Education Sciences, 16(5), 702. DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/educsci16050702
- Hermann, M., Wilhelm, M., & Brovelli, D. (2026). Prospective science teachers’ competencies for the use of explainer videos. Frontiers in Psychology. DOI: https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2026.1681116
- Hermann, M., Lausslet, N., Baumann, S., Bertschy, F., & Wilhelm, M. (2026). Education for sustainable development in Swiss teacher education – Status and perspectives. DOI: https://doi.org/10.36950/bzl.44.1.2026.10411
- University of Teacher Education Lucerne. Publication record, editorial activities, doctoral supervision and research leadership of Markus Wilhelm. https://www.phlu.ch/markus-wilhelm.html