As the team leader, Isabel Villanueva will represent the lecturers and scholars who ensure the quality of teaching and make the University visible as a centre that is committed to new methodologies.

Under the leadership of Isabel Vilanueva, one of the novelties the Classroom is seeking is “to open new lines of research that contribute to knowledge transfer, as well as to create a future university with a technological level that is cross-disciplinary between faculties.” In this sense, the Classroom projects the University as a centre that is committed to supporting and guiding teachers in order to improve and impact the quality of their teaching.

Conversely, due to the face-to-face nature of the University, “there is no single way to understand innovation,” Villanueva said. “Our concept of innovation has a lot to do with practical dynamics and teaching methodologies that are not limited to just technology, but that they rethink and revalue spaces, agents and academic conventions take a second look atplace using oral transmission and other methodologies,” she explained.

As the Communication professor reminded, “this university service is vital for connection with the new needs of the environment.” The Classroom will work on two transforming lines, one focused on improving teaching quality and the other focused on innovation and its impact on the university community. The intention with these lines is to encourage local initiatives and creating a global knowledge synergy: “Many times, identifying what the answers for the future starts with analysing what is lacking to create an academic network in the local environment,” the new director of the Classroom stated.

The UIC Barcelona Teaching Quality and Innovation Classroom is under the Vice-Rectorate for Planning and Quality, led by Josep Clotet, and has been supported for years by the Puig Foundation, which provides resources for grants and financial aid for teaching innovation. Divided into three lines of work, community, research and classroom, the team is made up of Pilar Fuster, Department of Nursing; Dolors Gil, Economy and Business Organisation Department; and María Arregui, Faculty of Dentistry. The Classroom, through these academic members represents the different faculties and areas of knowledge at UIC Barcelona