Two new Senior Fellows, Centre for Academic Teaching and Learning
As of September 2025, two new Senior Fellows will be appointed by the executive Board: dr. Sigrid Merx (Humanities) and dr. Patrick Witte (Geosciences).
During their Senior Fellowship, they work on a faculty and/or university-wide theme to further improve education, dedicate themselves to teacher development and deepen their knowledge in the field of educational science. In doing so, they contribute to contextual knowledge of higher education. Successful completion of the programme will culminate in a nomination for a position as full professor with special emphasis on education. A further introduction to our Senior Fellows follows below.
Dr. Sigrid Merx. Humanities
As an Associate Professor and Director of Education Of the School of Media and Culture Studies at Utrecht University, Sigrid has consistently displayed innovative leadership in educational transformation. Her career reflects a commitment to fostering interdisciplinary and transdisciplinary collaboration, as seen in her successful curriculum reforms. Sigrid鈥檚 academic and professional endeavours are deeply rooted in the belief that education must embrace creativity and co-creation. Her expertise in creative methods, honed through her background in dramaturgy and her extensive experience in education innovation projects, equips her uniquely to achieve this vision. Her leadership style鈥攆ocused on inclusivity, shared meaning-making, and critical self-reflection鈥攅nsures the success of collaborative educational initiatives.
Sigrid鈥檚 proposed Senior Fellow project focuses on training educators in creative methods to enhance collaborative and interdisciplinary learning environments. This initiative aligns seamlessly with the university's strategic goals of promoting personal development and intellectual growth among students. The innovative teaching methods she plans to explore may not come naturally to students across all disciplines, which is why it is important to involve students from the beginning.
As Sigrid herself pointed out, she can actively engage educators in gathering data within their own teaching environments. This approach will not only generate valuable evidence but also ensure that her project is grounded in real-world educational contexts.
While we increasingly ask our students to collaborate in an inter- and transdisciplinary way, we fail in teaching them how to do this. Creative methods can foster the kind of personal and interpersonal competences needed for meaningful collaboration. I am looking forward to encourage and train teachers in embedding such methods.
Dr. Patrick Witte, Geosciences
Dr. Patrick Witte demonstrates a strong passion for education and a deep commitment to student development. He emphasizes creating meaningful learning experiences tailored to the abilities and needs of today's students while fostering their academic and personal growth. His potential for future strategic impact was demonstrated through his leadership in curriculum renewal and educational innovation projects. As an Associate Professor in Spatial Planning and a member of the Education Management Team of his Department, Patrick has played a pivotal role in reshaping and innovating academic programs within his field.
In addition to his educational innovations, Patrick has a strong research background, with significant contributions to urban and regional planning. His publications, grant acquisitions, and supervision of PhD projects demonstrate his academic leadership and ability to integrate research into teaching. His involvement with the Association of European Schools of Planning (AESOP), as a member of its Excellence in Education Board, highlights his dedication to international collaboration and the sharing of best practices in planning education.
Patrick鈥檚 proposal for the Senior Fellow programme centres on exploring the delicate balance between transdisciplinary learning and disciplinary grounding. He aims to address the increasing emphasis on interdisciplinary education, which, while important, may risk overshadowing the deep expertise required for professional fields such as spatial planning. His vision seeks to ensure graduates are well-equipped with both a solid disciplinary foundation and the flexibility to address societal challenges collaboratively.
To me, higher education is not just about acquiring knowledge. My ambition in teaching is always to combine the academic and the personal to help my students transition into the next phase of their career and life.