Collaborative approach earns best lecturer award for Lorena Gibson
Dr Gibson says she was surprised and honoured to be nominated first for Best Lecturer in the Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences and then to have won the top award for the University.
“I don’t remember anything of what happened once they called out my name, I just kind of went into a bit of shock. It means a lot to me, to hear that student voice through the VUWSA.”
Students in her ANTH215 course, Anthropology for Liberation gave her overwhelming support and praise for her teaching.
The first of its kind at VUW, the course focuses on the decolonisation of anthropology, inspired by the work of Linda Tuhiwai Smith and anthropologist Faye Harrison.
“It’s the kind of anthropology that leans into politics, it leans into social justice, and it leans into making a difference in the world, making it better for everyone. It just really appealed to me and it’s the kind of anthropology I like to practice.”
Dr Gibson also uses the teaching philosophy of Brazilian educationalist Paulo Freire, who argued against the notion that students are empty vessels to be passively filled up with knowledge provided by an expert at the front of the class.
“On the first day of class I tell my students about my philosophy of teaching. I ask them to think about how the set-up of the room influences their learning journey. This gets them thinking critically right from the start and lets them know this is a learning journey we’re on together.
“I always value what students bring to the classroom and try and have content that speaks to what they’re interested in. I’m asking for feedback all the time, I’m asking ‘what should we be talking about?’”
Student Ellen Taylor says that Dr Gibson collaborates with them to ensure they are getting the best out of their learning.
“Lorena deserves this award. She really wants to see us succeed and does everything she can to ensure this. She has already inspired us to question what counts as knowledge, who gets to decide what counts as knowledge, and what anthropology should look like in 2017.”
Professor Brigitte Bonisch-Brednich, Head of the School of Social and Cultural Studies says she is proud of what Dr Gibson has achieved.
“This was a very brave course to design and teach, especially with such a large class. It was a hard road and sometimes bruising, as students who start decolonising themselves and unsettling themselves are very tough to teach. This award is truly deserved.”
Dr Gibson says the students are beginning to generate a sense of solidarity—they are starting to feel empowered.
“I want the course to be transformative for my students in the same way that I was transformed by these ideas as an undergraduate myself.”