Learning by doing: five lessons from failure in life, university, and the built environment

Professor Pamela Bell, from the School of Architecture, presents her inaugural lecture.

New Professor of Practice, Pamela Bell, shares five life lessons from a career spanning architecture, Olympic snowboarding, and entrepreneurship. These learnings provide the foundation for the new Construction Programme at Te Herenga Waka—Victoria University of Wellington in 2026.

Globally the built environment is at a turning point, suffering from low productivity, low pipeline investment, and low uptake of technology—it is ripe for transformation. Future construction will benefit from increased use of digital, manufacturing techniques, and sustainable innovation. Collaboration at the construction site emphasises team wellbeing and greater understanding of indigenous methods.

The new Construction Programme delivers both fundamentals and futureproofing through active learning at live construction sites, industry partnerships, and creating a learning culture of curiosity and critical inquiry.

Professor Robyn Phipps, Professor Pamela Bell, and Professor Robyn Longhurst standing in front of the stairs at Te Aro campus, smiling at the camera. — Inaugural Lecture: Professor Robyn Phipps, Professor Pamela Bell, and Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Academic, Professor Robyn Longhurst

Our public lecture series gives you the opportunity to engage with the latest thinking on the world’s major issues. To stay informed of upcoming public events and lectures at Te Herenga Waka—Victoria University of Wellington, sign up to the public lecture mailing list.