Pædagogiske ildsjæle og entreprenører: Et studie af entreprenørskab som et muligt rum for faglig fordybelse og specialisering inden for det pædagogiske felt

In Denmark, the pedagogical profession and the field of social education have changed radically over the last thirty years: pedagogues are expected to acquire both academic and practical competence, as well as have a broad set of knowledge within many different pedagogical subcategories. In consequence, educators and pedagogues have found it increasingly difficult to achieve and maintain specialized, rather than general, professional expertise. In this perspective, social entrepreneurship seems to represent a possible gateway, because entrepreneurs are often able to focus on a specific professional agenda and approach, e.g. within the field of drama, music, visual art, therapy, etc. In the current article, this hypothesis is investigated through a qualitative case study of three social entrepreneurs’ pedagogical careers, methods, approaches and visions. The study is conducted by three researchers/educators and fifty students across three different campuses. The study indicates that specialized knowledge and competence can be achieved and maintained both within and outside formal institutions. Still, entrepreneurship seems to offer unique possibilities when it comes to the establishment of specialized pedagogical environments with a continuous focus on specific visions and approaches. At the end of the article, entrepreneurship within the pedagogical profession is discussed from a normative perspective and essential pros and cons are highlighted.