Best papers from the SEFI 2026 Annual Conference

This year the best papers were awarded in 4 categories, including a diversity and inclusiveness award in memory of Prof Susanne Ihsen. We sincerely congratulate the 2026 SEFI Best Paper winners:

Best Student Paper

Anducas, Anna; Mas de les Valls, Elisabet ​(Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya)
Building Futures Literacy in Primary Education: Using Generative AI to Disrupt STEM Gender Stereotypes.

​Motivation: This paper  stands out for its original, timely and socially relevant integration of generative AI, futures literacy and gender inclusion in STEM education. The intervention is particularly compelling because AI is used not only as a motivational tool to help pupils envision themselves in future STEM roles, but also as a means to critically expose and discuss algorithmic gender bias. This combination of pedagogical innovation, inclusivity, critical digital literacy and clear potential for replication makes the paper a distinctive contribution to engineering education and provides a strong justification for the award.​

Best Practice Paper

Rosado Hau, Nidiana; Day, Harry (University of Sheffield)​
Labsheets Are Dead? A Comparison of Digital Lab Manuals vs Traditional Labsheets

Motivation: This framework offers a highly practical, evidence-based approach to interactive learning design, presenting a clear, ready-to-use method that can be efficiently adapted across various laboratory and exercise settings. By moving beyond static lab sheets to enable web-based activities and quizzes, the methodology enhances engagement and structure while providing reusable resources that are openly shared with the wider academic community. Furthermore, the approach has been validated through extensive testing with a substantial student cohort, ensuring reliable results. Ultimately, this system delivers significant efficiency and workload reduction for instructors by automating routine tasks and minimizing repetitive queries, making it particularly valuable for large-scale courses.

​Best Research Paper

Naukkarinen, Johanna; Bairoh, Susanna (LUT University; Academic Engineers and Architects in Finland TEK)​
The Effect of Neurodivergence on the Wellbeing of Engineering Students in Finland

Motivation: The committee selected this paper for its strong methodological foundation, careful interpretation of results, and important contribution to understanding the relationship between neurodivergence and wellbeing in engineering students. Addressing a timely and increasingly important topic, the study provides robust empirical evidence from a large student sample and advances current discussions on inclusion, neurodiversity, and student support in engineering higher education.​

Susanne Ihsen Award

Oquendo-Colón, Nolgie; Li, Xiaping; Finelli, Cynthia (University of Michigan)​
Engineering Students with ADHD: Perceptions of Instructional Practices. A Thematic Analysis Using Universal Design for Instruction

Motivation: The winning paper drew on the Universal Design for Instruction framework to identify practical strategies that educators can implement to make their classrooms more accessible for students with ADHD. By grounding its recommendations directly in students’ lived experiences, the study provides valuable insight into the support that students with ADHD themselves find most beneficial. At the same time, the use of the Universal Design for Instruction framework ensures that the recommendations are both actionable and readily applicable in everyday teaching practice, making the work highly relevant for educators seeking to create more inclusive learning environments.​