Acclaimed teacher makes statistics understandable
Statistics can be daunting for many students. But Anna Winkvist helps them not only understand the subject—but actually enjoy it. She is now receiving the Sahlgrenska Academy's 2025 Teaching Award.
"I've always liked explaining things," says Anna. "Even as a student, I found myself helping classmates make sense of statistics. There's something really rewarding about seeing that moment when the light goes on."
"I come from a family where teaching came naturally. My grandfather was a schoolteacher, and so were my parents, aunts, uncles—even my grandmother. Teaching was done with pride. I think it's in my blood."
Like a new language
As a teacher in the dietitian program at the University of Gothenburg, Anna supervises undergraduate theses and is primarily responsible for the master's-level course Clinical Nutrition – Scientific Method. The course centers on statistics, and students work with real-world data, normal distributions, T-tests, and research questions related to diet and health. The goal is to give students tools to make statistics understandable—and relevant.
"Learning statistics is like learning a new language. Many students think it's too hard. But with good structure and clear teaching, anyone can crack the code. I always tell them at the start: you don't need a special talent—you can learn this."
Everyone passes the course
Anna emphasizes feedback. Through regular multiple-choice exercises, she tracks how students are doing and who may need more support.
"I've never had to fail a student. Some need to revise or supplement their final assignments, but in the end, everyone gets through. Students who once feared statistics often end up curious and engaged. That's the best part."
The course has also sparked interest in research. Several former students have gone on to master's and doctoral studies, saying that this course opened the door.
A vibrant environment
The academic environment around clinical nutrition at the University of Gothenburg is strong. There's a clear connection between undergraduate education, advanced studies, and research. Students from other programs, such as medicine and nursing, often ask for more nutrition content.
"There's a lot of interest, and healthcare professionals increasingly understand how important this is. Many common diseases are linked to diet and physical activity. Even though I know schedules are tight, I believe nutrition should have a stronger presence in more programs," says Anna.
An important recognition
Anna Winkvist is receiving the award for her many years of valued teaching, marked by deep subject knowledge, pedagogical skill, and strong commitment. The award includes a prize of SEK 100,000, to be used for educational development.
In addition to teaching the master's course, she supervises and examines bachelor's theses for dietetics students. She is also active in research, including how diet influences disease risk at the population level, how nutrition can be part of treatment, and how eating habits can be measured using blood and urine samples.
"Receiving the teaching award means a lot to me," says Anna. "It's not as common to be recognized for teaching as it is for research, so this feels really special. I'm proud to be part of this community."
Text: Elin Lindström