Paul Thomas (Ph.D., King’s College, London) is a Professor of Pedagogy at the University of South-Eastern Norway, Institute of Pedagogy, Department of Educational Science at the Faculty of Humanities, Sports and Educational Science. His academic expertise spans multicultural and religious education, emphasizing the intersection of religion, science and pedagogy. Thomas has authored several books, of which recent ones include: Media and Education: Addressing Racism in Norway, published by Brill (2025), Education and Cultural Evolution in Norway’s Multiethnic Society: Bridges to Belonging, published by Springer Nature (2025), and Too Black to Be Here? Exploring Racism in Norway through Four Critical Case Studies (Emerald). His research often explores issues of diversity, race and inclusion, critically analyzing Norwegian society’s multicultural realities. A co-leader of the research group “Minorities and Education”, Thomas actively engages in media debates, public lectures and policy discussions, advocating for diversity and inclusion in education. His work aims to promote critical pedagogy and combat racism, fostering dialogue and understanding across diverse communities.

• Introduction PART I 1. Hamsun’s Growth of the Soil: Celebrating Self-Reliance2. Johann Gottlieb, Teutonic Ideals and Hamsun’s racism 3. Hamsun, Luther, and the Sacredness of Whiteness 4. Inger’s Journey in Hamsun’s Forest: Bound but Strong 5. Isak as Homo Economicus: Capitalism and Colonial Mindsets 6. White mobility: Village to Forest and Sellenrå to the U.S.7. Applying Dialogic Theory to Hamsun’s Growth of the Soil PART II8. Garlands of Honor: Kristin Lavransdatter and Izzat 9. Kristin Lavransdatter: A Mirror of Religious and Cultural Evolution 10. Father-Daughter Bonds in Kristin Lavransdatter 11. Foucault, Kristin Lavransdatter and the Patriarchal Panopticon12. Romantic Hierarchies: Class in the Garland 13. Lady Åshild: A Postcolonial Challenge to Religious Hegemony 14. Applying a Pedagogy of Discomfort to Kristin Lavransdatter Part III 15. Solbakken & Granliden: Bjørnson’s Intercultural Shadows 16. Rural Roots, Urban Realities: Synnøve Solbakken and Intercultural Identity 17. Words as Weapons: Symbolic Violence in Bjørnson’s Tale 18. The Scars of Abandonment: From Aslak to Afghanistan 19. Church and School in Synnøve Solbakken: Norway’s Civilizing Missions 20. Reclaiming Emigration: From Synnøve Solbakken to Coming to America 21. Applying Postcolonial Pedagogy to Bjørnson’s Synnøve Solbakken Conclusion