UEA lecturer awarded prestigious National Teaching Fellowship
By: Communications
Dr Pablo Dalby, Learning Enhancement Tutor for Inclusive Education at the University of East Anglia (UEA), has been awarded a National Teaching Fellowship (NTF) in recognition of his exceptional contributions to teaching and learning for social change.
This award celebrates Pablo’s innovative, inclusive approaches and his sustained impact on student outcomes both locally and globally.
Pablo is based in the Student Services' Learning Enhancement Team (LET), where he works alongside colleagues to make the University an inclusive place for everyone, particularly for students from under-represented groups.
Pablo is thrilled to receive the NTF, viewing it as a springboard to further expand and deepen the impact of his work. He said: "Honestly, I'm very happy to win the NTF Award. However, I'm also acutely aware that countless people deserve to receive awards, and generally greater respect and recognition, but don't.”
“I mean to use my NTF status to elevate our work in trying to transform the power structures that produce inequities in higher education and beyond."
The NTF Scheme is a prestigious UK-wide award that recognises individuals who have made an outstanding impact on student outcomes and the teaching profession in higher education. Each year, only a select number of fellowships are awarded, highlighting innovative and effective teaching practices that can inspire and influence others in the sector.
Pablo’s role focuses on supporting staff and postgraduate researchers to enhance their inclusive practices, with a special emphasis on assessment and feedback. Central to his work is leading UEA's cross-institutional Inclusivity Network (IN), which offers a range of professional development services to promote inclusivity across the university.
Pablo’s award acknowledges the significant reach and impact of his teaching philosophy, developed over more than 30 years in diverse educational contexts, including 16 years at UEA.
His innovative approach, known as ‘Powergogy’, supports teachers and learners in critiquing, challenging, and changing the power structures that perpetuate social injustices in education and society. You can learn more about Powergogy in this ‘Overview of Powergogy’ on Microsoft Sway.
Pablo explains: "Powergogy connects 'big picture' ideas about the higher purpose of higher education with practical activities that help learners develop power-literacies as agents of change."
One notable example is his Revolving Roles model, which reverses conventional teacher-learner roles, empowering students to co-design and lead their own seminars. This model has been successfully implemented at universities across the UK, fostering a more inclusive and engaging learning environment. To see his Revolving Roles model in action, check out this short video on Revolving Roles for Times Higher Education.
Vice-Chancellor Prof David Maguire said: “Huge congratulations to Pablo on this accolade. UEA relies on the innovation and dedication of people like Pablo to continue to inspire students to learn, and his work is highly regarded both in our university and further afield. His years of championing inclusivity practices within learning and teaching will have no doubt benefited thousands of under-represented students, and he is a deserving recipient of a National Teaching Fellowship.”
During his 16 years at the University, Pablo's work has helped hundreds of students at UEA, and thousands more further afield, to enhance their skills and competencies in, among other things, collaborative communication, creative problem-solving, critical thinking and doing, and democratic decision-making. It has also helped students develop as change-makers who feel they can impact others positively and play an important part in society.
In addition to his innovative teaching methods, Pablo emphasises the importance of feedback and continuous improvement in his practice. He welcomes input from colleagues and students alike as he continues to develop strategies to make learning fair for all.
For more information on Pablo’s work and his inclusive teaching approaches, you can visit Pablo’s LinkedIN profile.
If you are looking to start university in September 2024 and still thinking about your options, consider joining a UK Top 25 university this September through Clearing.
Related Articles
University of East Anglia joins University Mental Health Charter
The Charter Programme is run by UK student mental health charity Student Minds and recognises universities which are committed to making mental health and wellbeing a university-wide priority to share best practice and create cultural change.
Read more