UNESCO chair on Teacher Professional Development using Lesson Study

The University of Malta has officially signed an agreement with UNESCO and established a UNESCO Chair on Teacher Professional Development using Lesson Study, with Dr James Calleja appointed as the UNESCO Chair holder.

Dr Calleja, a senior lecturer at the Faculty of Education, leads the Collaborative Lesson Study Malta (CLeStuM) programme and is a council member of the World Association of Lesson Studies (WALS). This milestone strengthens the University of Malta’s role and Dr Calleja’s work on lesson study as a teacher professional development model while it continues to advance innovative and equitable approaches to teacher professional learning at national and international levels.

The Chair focuses on Lesson Study as a powerful model of professional development that supports teachers in collaboratively designing, observing, and reflecting on lessons. Building on the work of CLeStuM through its ongoing research and partnerships, during its four-year term, the Chair will expand collaboration with WALS, with the Directorate for STEM and VET programmes in Malta, and with schools in Norway and South Africa.

These initiatives aim to enhance the quality of teaching by improving student learning, supporting school leaders, and reducing inequalities in access to high-quality professional learning, particularly in under-resourced contexts. Through international networks, digital platforms and cross-country exchanges, the Chair will foster knowledge sharing, capacity building, and culturally responsive pedagogical innovation.

Planned activities include the development of open-access professional learning resources, international lesson study networks, research publications, professional development workshops and seminars, policy briefs, and virtual mentoring opportunities for educators. The Chair will also contribute to UNESCO’s priorities in quality education, digital transformation, and equity, and aligns with the Sustainable Development Goals, particularly SDG 4 on inclusive and equitable education.

The establishment of this UNESCO Chair reflects the collective efforts of academic colleagues, school communities, policymakers, and international partners. With this second UNESCO Chair, the first on Global Adult Education currently held by Prof. Peter Mayo and Dr Maria Brown, positions the Faculty of Education within the University of Malta as a global hub for research and innovation and strengthens its commitment to international cooperation and educational transformation.

Further updates on activities and opportunities for collaboration will be shared soon.