Dr. Fella Lahmar د. فلّة لحمر

Everybody has a story, and mine is one shaped by resilience, learning, and community. My academic journey is a rich tapestry of interdisciplinary learning, beginning in Algeria with my Baccalaureate in Sciences (Mathematics, Physics, Chemistry, and Biology), which laid a strong foundation in scientific inquiry. Drawn to Islamic studies, I pursued a BA in Quran and Hadith Sciences, immersing myself in traditional scholarship. Moving from the natural sciences—where objectivism was a given—to the interpretative realm of Islamic scholarship instilled in me a passion for education and research methodologies.

​

Shortly after my BA, another cultural shift developed: a journey to England with English as my third language, and a strong desire to continue my education and contribute meaningfully to my new society. My journey began humbly, working in Nottingham community schools and centres, where I dedicated myself to supporting local children, students, and families while building foundational language skills and adapting to new cultural diversity.

​

Driven to develop a professional educational practice, I completed a College Teacher Training Certificate in Adult Education, where I encountered the transformative role of education in shaping lifelong learners. As I transitioned to secondary and post-16 education, I earned a Postgraduate Certificate in Professional Studies in Education (The Open University), focusing on using ICT in Religious Education. This experience raised new questions about the impact of technology on educational philosophies, practices, and environments.

​

My academic pursuits expanded as I earned an MA in Islamic Studies from Loughborough University. Then, I pursued an MA in Research Methods in Education at the University of Nottingham to follow up on my passion for research methodologies. A pivotal moment was being awarded a PhD scholarship with a full stipend at the University of Nottingham, marking a new phase as an educator and researcher in British academia.

​

My career in higher education has since included teaching and research roles across UK institutions. I have led UK-accredited MA programmes, supervised and examined BA, MA, and PhD dissertations, developed curricula, and provided consultancy for national and international organisations. To enhance my teaching practice, I completed a Postgraduate Certificate in Higher Education and earned both Fellow and Senior Fellow status from the Higher Education Academy. My engagement with ICT in education continued with professional development courses at the University of Oxford, focusing on my HE online teaching and course design.

​

This journey—from sciences to Islamic studies, through technology-enhanced learning and advanced research, and across diverse Muslim and non-Muslim communities—has shaped my approach as an educator and researcher. It reflects a lifelong commitment to interdisciplinary learning, holistic education, decolonisation, social justice, and inclusive educational practice.

​

Engaged in community service, I have contributed to interfaith and intra-faith dialogue initiatives, community welfare projects, and educational outreach in both Arabic and English. This journey has strengthened my belief that education can connect, empower, and transform lives.

​

Thank you for visiting this space, where I invite you to explore my journey, contributions, and the values that guide my work in education. I look forward to connecting and collaborating.