معرفی
Sandra Denicke-Polcher is an architect, National Teaching Fellow and Associate Dean (Education) at the Royal College of Art’s School of Architecture. She has spent over two decades in UK higher education, previously serving as Deputy Head of Architecture (Acting Head 2018–19) at London Metropolitan University. Her leadership champions inclusive architectural education and alternative pathways into spatial practice, embedding global citizenship and community-engaged learning within the curriculum.
Education and Academic Background:
- Qualified architect with extensive postgraduate teaching experience since 2000.
- National Teaching Fellow (AdvanceHE, 2018) and Senior Teaching Fellow (AdvanceHE, 2016).
Research Interests:
Sandra’s research interrogates the dynamic relationship between architectural education and live practice. She specialises in community-based, participatory design processes—termed Live Projects—that bring students and local stakeholders together to co-produce spatial solutions. Her ongoing initiative Crossing Cultures (est. 2016) links London design studios with a long-term project in depopulated Calabria, Italy, exploring agricultural adaptation to climate change and migrant settlement through blended residencies and hands-on construction.
Additional interests span intercultural pedagogy, social justice in the built environment, student wellbeing, and the re-activation of underused rural territories via inclusive architectural interventions.
Research Funding & Grants:
- Transformation Grant, London Metropolitan University (2022)
- Rescaling Grant, London Metropolitan University (2021)
- ERASMUS funded Training Programmes CAMP & CURVE with KAIROS Europe (2020)
Scientific Awards & Recognition:
- National Teaching Fellowship, AdvanceHE (2018)
- Senior Teaching Fellowship, AdvanceHE (2016)
Practice & External Engagement:
Sandra is a founding partner of the collaborative practice public works. Their urban regeneration scheme Geesthacht an die Elbe! (Germany) received first prize for exemplary building in the public realm (2003). She regularly serves as external examiner, validation panel member and competition juror, and has delivered UN-Habitat workshops on urban regeneration.
Labs, Teams & Projects:
She leads and mentors through the Live Project Studio model, integrating students, community groups and not-for-profit partners such as Le Seppie (Italy). The studio functions as a pedagogical laboratory where research, teaching and civic impact converge.
