Dr Michael RIVERA

Recipient of 2026 UGC Teaching Award

Category
Early Career Faculty Members

Affiliation at the time of the award
Lecturer, Faculty of Social Sciences, The University of Hong Kong

Award Citation
Dr Michael Rivera is an innovative and passionate educator who has established a remarkable profile in anthropology education. As the first person in Hong Kong to obtain a doctoral degree in biological anthropology, Dr Rivera has curated a distinctive teaching portfolio that spans archeology, sociocultural anthropology, human ecology, evolution, and critical race studies. His classes are characterised by a clear pedagogical commitment to active learning, experiential enquiry and reflective practice, creating engaging learning experiences that encourage students to think critically and independently.

Central to Dr Rivera's educational philosophy is the creation of both “brave spaces” and “safe spaces” for experimentation and confidence building. The “brave spaces” encourage students to think outside the box, while his care-based pedagogy places compassion and connection-building at the heart of the classroom. Through this approach, he helps students build resilience and develop critical thinking, preparing them for a fast-changing world.

Dr Rivera places particular emphasis on bridging classroom knowledge with the real world. He has developed a wide range of innovative assessments that encourage students to communicate what they have learnt to the wider public. As a result, his students not only deepen their understanding of course content, but also develop sophisticated communication skills. His passion for his academic field, together with his care and compassion for students, has established him as an outstanding early-career educator with remarkable potential and impact.

Video on Teaching Philosophies