Professor Danijela Serbic has been awarded a National Teaching Fellowship from Advance HE for her exceptional work in shaping the future of teaching and learning.
Professor Serbic, from the Department of Psychology at Royal Holloway, is one of just 55 educators to receive a National Teaching Fellowship this year.
The National Teaching Fellowship Scheme remains one of the UK's highest honours for individuals in higher education, acknowledging educators who have demonstrated sustained excellence and made outstanding contributions to enhancing the student learning experience.
Professor Serbic founded THESIS (Teaching in Higher Education: Supporting and Inspiring Students) a psychology education and pedagogy focused group at the University.
The aim of the team is to encourage innovation in teaching practice, strive towards excellence in teaching, and support students and educational practice in the department and across the institution and beyond.
Those involved specialise in curating educational events and disseminating insightful content through blogs, covering a wide range of contemporary educational themes.
Professor Serbic said: "Receiving a National Teaching Fellowship is a great honour and a very special moment for me.
"This award recognises my commitment to supporting the higher education teaching community and helping educators develop their confidence, teaching identity, and leadership skills.
"Through my group, THESIS, and my wider work, I have aimed to create supportive spaces where colleagues can share ideas, develop their practice, and grow as educators.
"I am grateful that this work has been recognised and that I can continue supporting others in their teaching journeys."
Professor Emma Mayhew, Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Education and Student Experience), added: “We are so proud of Professor Serbic and all the work she has done to earn this award.
"National Teaching Fellowships are such a powerful recognition of her significant and lasting contributions to student success, innovation and educational practice at Royal Holloway, and her generous approach to sharing her practice with colleagues across the sector.
“These skills and values - openly collaborating, innovating, and striving for excellence - all contribute to a brilliant education and experience for our students, and the inspiring and ambitious professional culture we aspire to for colleagues.”
Alistair Jarvis CBE, Chief Executive of Advance HE, said: “Congratulations to the recipients of the 2026 National Teaching Fellowships.
“They exemplify the dedication, creativity and leadership that underpin outstanding higher education. Through their commitment to students and continual enhancement of teaching and learning, they are making a significant contribution to their institutions and the wider sector.
“I am pleased to recognise their achievements and celebrate the impact they have made on students, colleagues and communities throughout the UK.”
The 2026 National Teaching Fellows will be formally recognised at an awards ceremony on 24 September 2026 in Edinburgh.
