Celebrating World Teacher's Day 2022

To mark World Teacher's Day 2022, the Strategic Research Area in International Development and Inclusive Innovation (SRA-IDII) has commissioned a series to celebrate the exceptional Associate Lecturers who teach Global Development at The Open University.

The SRA-IDII is a multi-million pound, interdisciplinary research network led by Professor Giles Mohan, leading ground-breaking research designed to feed directly into OU teaching.

Introduction to Dr Hadeer Elshafie

Dr Hadeer Elshafie came to the UK as an international student to study for a PhD in Development and Development Studies with the University of Sussex, where she now teaches. She has a BA in Political Economy, an MA in Professional Development, is a certified professional life coach, and has been a presenter on Brighton and Hove Community Radio.

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Introduction to Elissa Williams

Elissa Williams spent 12 years working in development in East Africa, using grass-roots tourism as a tool for poverty alleviation. Her background is unusual in that she came to teaching development studies in a somewhat backward way – gaining the practical experience before learning the theory and academic material. 

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Introduction to Professor Moira Laidlaw

Professor Moira Laidlaw can’t remember a time when she didn’t want to be a teacher. She started her career in a comprehensive school in Shropshire, then took an MEd at Bath University where she went on to teach Postgraduate Certificate of Education students and do a PhD in Living Educational Theory. She spent six years in China on a UK VSO programme.

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