The Pedagogy of Astra Zarina: Illuminating the Blind Spot in her Legacy

The Development of Long-Term Student Success though Student Agency

Abstract

University of Washington (UW) Professor Emerita Astra Zarina’s legacy as a difference-maker is increasingly acknowledged in the profession, however the pedagogy she developed remains a blind spot. Colleagues and students have cited Zarina as one of the “primary influences on their professional practice and how they see and engage with the world” (Torrell, 2013). Zarina’s contribution to the professional and personal lives of her students has been recognized by academia as well as students and practicing design professionals; however, the pedagogy that has made this possible is yet to be researched, documented, and is still a blind spot.

References to the role of agency are found repeatedly in how her students describe her teaching methods and Zarina's influence on their lives and work. The pedagogy of student agency is then a point of entry to understanding her legacy as a difference-maker for her students. This paper sheds light on how her use of agency as a teaching method led to her students' personal and professional success as leaders in the design of the built environment.