Miss Daphne Vallas
Daphne Vallas is a Senior Fellow of the Higher Education Academy and a Lecturer in Academic Professional Development for Westminster’s Centre for Education & Teaching Innovation (CETI). A passionate educator, Daphne describes herself as “a linguist and an artist who thinks like an engineer and thrives on pedagogic-problem solving”.
She is the PRESTige (Professional Recognition & Enhancement Scheme for Teaching) portfolio Lead.
In this role, she manages the AdvanceHE-accredited and university-wide programme which offers all Westminster colleagues who teach and support learning the chance to reward and recognise their talent by achieving the Fellowship or Senior Fellowship of the Higher Education Academy. She oversees the development of the HEA Fellowship Advising and Reviewing processes and manages the Recognition panels. In addition to providing expert support and guidance to AdvanceHE Fellowship applicants, advisers and reviewers, Daphne designs and delivers a range of Academic Professional Development (APD) events and opportunities which are available to all Schools. Please visit the PRESTige SharePoint page to find out more about her APD activities.
Daphne has a keen interest in multiculturalism in the classroom and has centred her Action Research on Culturally Responsive Pedagogy in Higher Education. Her particular focus is on the design and implementation of Culturally Responsive materials as a means to root out exclusionary education practices and empower learners and educators operating in a multicultural learning environment.
Her current scholarly activity focusses on the use of critical reflection to enhance Academic Professional Development through active and experiential learning in Higher Education.