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Pre-Conference Information

June 10, 2026, from 11am-4pm - Honoring Eriksson’s Theory of Caritative Caring

Katie Eriksson’s (1943- 2019) theoretical legacy is fundamental in the tradition of caring science in Nordic countries. Her work began in the mid 1970 with curriculum development based on the “Nursing care process”, first implemented in teaching at the Helsinki Swedish School of Nursing. In the late 1980s her creative visions and theoretical efforts within the academic discipline of an independent caring science made possible master and PhD education at Åbo Akademi University.  The theoretical underpinnings for the theory of caritative caring unite the caritas motive, unconditional love and charity with ethos and alleviation of suffering in a caring relationship.   The theory also comprises a cornerstone for the development of caritative didactics and caritative leadership.

In honor of Eriksson’s work, the preconference celebrates her theory, and the late scholarly efforts made by others, contributing it to flourish. Both scholars educated in her tradition and scholars who have worked in close connection with Eriksson when developing the theory of caritative caring are invited as speakers. As a theory and a tradition need ongoing application and further development to flourish, we will also hear new generations of scholars applying the theory of caritative caring in their work.