Darden Fellow

Last December, right before Winter Break, I got an email with this message:

Dear Dr. Enilda Romero-Hall,

Congratulations on being selected as a 2026 Darden College of Education and Professional Studies Fellow!

Each of the college’s five academic departments nominates individuals who have received one or more academic degrees from the College for this honor. You were nominated by the faculty of the Department of STEM & Professional Studies because you have made significant contributions to the profession and distinguished yourself in your career. Your selection as a Darden Fellow was a unanimous decision. I hope you will be able to accept this honor and participate in the College’s celebration of your accomplishments along with the College’s other Darden Fellows.

This was completely unexpected. I had no idea that I had been nominated, which made the recognition even more special. Although I know the faculty who currently lead and teach in the Instructional Design and Technology program at ODU, the professors and academic advisor who supported me during my time at ODU have since moved on to other institutions or taken on different roles within ODU. Therefore, I was specially touched and happily surprised to learn that the current faculty had nominated me for this recognition.

To learn more about the 2026 Darden Fellows: https://www.odu.edu/education/darden-fellows-alumni-awards

A few months later, I had the opportunity to travel to Norfolk, Virginia and participate in a special ceremony at the Darden College of Education in the ODU campus. My visit to Norfolk brought back so many memories about my time in the Hampton Roads area. It was also wonderful to see my academic advor, Dr. Ginger Watson and to connect with the current IDT faculty.

A longstanding tradition, Darden Fellows are nominated annually by faculty in each of the College’s departments. Selected from a pool of 47,000 Darden College alumni, awardees are recognized for significant contributions to their professional fields and for exemplifying service and excellence in their communities. Beyond personal achievement and community service, Darden Fellows also highlight the impact that ODU’s education alumni continue to make in Hampton Roads and beyond.

#MonarchStrong

BRAZ-TESOL Keynote and good times in Brazil

It is kind of crazy how opportunities sometimes come your way when you least expect it.

Earlier this year, I gave a keynote address at the TESOL International Convention in Salt Lake City, Utah. That morning the most important thing to me was to make sure I felt good about the keynote and that I stayed on time (attendees could not see this but in my view from the stage, I had a countdown to how much time I had left to talk — I may have gone over by 5 minutes). After the keynote, I felt good. I felt it had been successful. I was not expecting an attendee (Isadora Pereira Costa) of the conference to approach me immediately after my keynote to ask if I was interested in being a keynote at a conference she was helping organized in Brazil! She said, she would follow up and I just left it there. A week later she emailed me and said should would like to get this keynote setup and she forwarded my contact info to the lead conference organizer. That is how this BRAZ-TESOL journey started!

After the official invite was sent, a quick discussion with my family happened, plans were re-arranged to aligned it with our summer holidays, and travel plans were put in motion.

Three months later, my family and I started the journey that took us to:

A 45 minute layover (and what felt like a 5K) to Lima, Peru.
The most turbulent 5 hour flight between Lima, Peru and Rio de Janeiro
Landing in beautiful Vitória, Espírito Santo, Brazil

Vitoria is a wonderful city on the Brazilian coastline and it home to the Universidade Federal do Espírito Santo where the 22nd BRAZ-TESOL International Conference was hosted. This year was especially significant for BRAZ-TESOL, as the organization also celebrated the 40th anniversary of its founding. Of course, I was honored to be part of it!

As part of the conference, I attended a few sessions including a presentation by my former graduate student Adriana Vianna on Andragogy. I also attended a presentation by Isadora, in which she discussed learning strategies that she uses with her Brazilian students as part of their English Language Learning journey.

On Friday morning, I had the privilege of giving a keynote address to the members of BRAZ-TESOL:

The keynote drew on Learning Designers in Context (Discount Code for 20% off: 26SMA2) to examine how learning design is shaped by the environments in which it takes place. The book challenges the notion of design as a neutral or purely technical process, instead positioning it as a practice influenced by social, cultural, institutional, and technological contexts. By foregrounding context, the keynote invites educators to reflect on how their local realities inform their instructional choices. It will illustrate how educators and learning designers make decisions within constraints and negotiate competing priorities into the design process. The aim is to emphasize the importance of designing learning experiences that are responsive, situated, and aligned with learners’ needs, rather than relying on universal models or decontextualized approaches.

I am incredibly grateful for the warm welcome that I received at the 22nd BRAZ-TESOL International Conference! It was wonderful to meet many of the members of the organization and to deliver a keynote address focused on “Learning Designers in Context”! Thank you to Isadora Pereira Costa, Catarina Pontes, and the board of BRAZ-TESOL for the invitation!

P.S. Another major highlight of this trip was getting to spend time exploring Rio de Janeiro. Rio is unlike any other city I have ever visited!

View of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil from the Cristo Redentor

Shortlisted for the “Learning Book of the Year Award”

At the end of June, my co-editors and I were notified that “Feminist Pedagogy for Teaching Online” was shortlisted for the Learning Book of the Year Award at the Alberta Book Publishing Awards!

These awards recognize and celebrate excellence in the book publishing industry across the province of Alberta, Canada. We are thrilled and honored to have our work recognized among such wonderful contributions to the field. Huge congratulations to all the shortlisted publications: https://bookpublishers.ab.ca/programs/awards/

We have also recently received a thoughtful review of the book that was written by Sreeparna Das and published in the Feminist Pedagogy Journal: https://digitalcommons.calpoly.edu/feministpedagogy/vol7/iss3/9/

Feminist Pedagogy for Teaching Online provides a valuable toolkit that could be readily implemented in course planning and development, teaching activity design, faculty development workshops, and instruction design.

Feminist Pedagogy for Teaching Online is an open access book. To read, download, or purchase a hard copy of the book, visit https://www.aupress.ca/books/120334-feminist-pedagogy-for-teaching-online/

You can also read additional reviews of the book:

Julie Enszer, Ms. Magazine [Review]
Mariam Alothman, Education Review [Review]
Camille Rutherford, Brock Education Journal [Review]
Ayesha Perveen, Journal of Open, Flexible and Distance Learning [Review]

I feel a deep sense of gratitude to all who have supported this book and its journey!

TESOL 2026 International Convention: Reflections

Last month, I had the privilege to attend and keynote at the TESOL 2026 International Convention and Expo! It was such an amazing experience!

I have already blogged about getting an invite to do the keynote at the conference in this post: Looking forward to #TESOL26 and also shared the slides: TESOL 2026 Keynote (Shorter) and references that I used for the keynote: TESOL 2026 Keynote: Enilda Romero-Hall, Ph.D. But I have not have an opportunity to reflect on the experience in my blog, which I often like to do after attending a conference.

I would like to start by saying that from the moment I agreed to be a keynote for the conference, I worked with Sarah Sahr (who was the Head of Education and Events at TESOL). Sarah is based out of Tunisia, which immediately made us bond as I have a lot of love for Tunisia due to my visit back in 2019: Photo Blog: IFDS in Tunisia. NOTE TO SELF: Go back to Tunisia!

Sarah is one of the most organized professionals I have met in my life. There a handful of people who I have met in my professional life that “get things done.” Sarah is one of them. There were very specific deadlines for the keynote speakers that she outlined once the contract was signed and she was on top of it at all times. Even the day of the keynote, when decided to make one final change 2-hours before the session. She make sure to have a meeting to go over the content of the keynote, give feedback, request a video for promotion of the session, see the final draft of the slides, and secure all the logistics.

You should definitely connect with her! Sarah Sahr

I also worked closely with Micheal Ennis who is in Switzerland and is a TESOL member. Both Sarah and Mike were wonderful to work with!

Since it was my first time at TESOL I was encouraged, by my former student Adriana Vianna, to attend the first-timers session. It was a lot of fun! I met people from different walks of life that engage in English language teaching and/or support English language learners: teachers, social workers, administrators, researchers, entrepreneurs, faculty, graduate students, etc. Their passion for their field was palpable. As an English Language Learner, myself, I felt grateful that there are people who care about immigrants, refugees, and people around the world that have a passion for learning a different language. If you have never work on learning a different language, I am here to tell you that it is hard and it requires a lot of dedication from the learner but also a ton of support!

The other amazing part about the conference was that I was able to connect several colleagues who are part of the TESOL community that are also connected to the learning design and technology field.

One aspect of the conference that I was not expecting and I mentioned this in the LinkedIn post: “Last week while I was delivering a keynote at TESOL 2026 I was thinking about how I represented my work and how I represented my institution but the reality was that I was also representing people who have similar identities to me! I did not know it while I was presenting but in the audience there was a group of members from TESOL Panama who had come to present and participate in the conference. They cheered loudly as I mentioned to the audience that I was born and raised in Panama and that Panama is much more than a Canal. After the keynote, they came to the front of the room to congratulate me and in their words they felt so proud to see me as keynote speaker.”

I did not mentioned in the post, there there were many attendees that came to the front of the room after the keynote who were not Panamanian but identified at Latinx or Black and who identified with the message of the keynote. It was such an overwhelming positive experience!

Since the keynote was at the 8am session (TESOLers really know how to show up early!), I had an opportunity to change outfits and return to the conference venue to explore the expo. I could not count the number of times I was stopped by someone who had attended the keynote and they shared their gratitude. It honestly felt good to know that the amount of time, energy, and work that I had put into this keynote was so deeply appreciated. I left Salt Lake City feeling like: (a) Wow! I need to return to Utah because it has such a beautiful landscape and (b) glad that I accepted the invitation and that the message was so well received.

Here are some photos capture by the photographer of the conference and shared by the former student, Adriana Vianna (who is now a doctoral student at University of South Florida):

Keynote at the 2026 Annual eLCC Conference

Huge thanks to the folks at The eLearning Consortium of Colorado (formerly Colorado TELECOOP) for the invite to give a keynote during the 2026 Annual eLCC Conference! The eLCC is a coalition of public and private colleges, universities, K-12 education, private sector business and public television stations dedicated to the enhancement of educational opportunities through distance learning. I had been holding on to a few copies of the book and I am happy I was to have a small giveaway at the end!

The keynote was titled: Context Matters! Learning Design Practice ThroughGlobal South Perspectives

Abstract: How do learning designers in the Global South transform challenges into opportunities for innovation? This keynote invites you on a journey across higher education, corporate, non-profit, and government sectors, where practitioners adapt to rapidly changing environments by drawing on local knowledge, cultural traditions, and resourcefulness. Through vivid real-world examples, we’ll explore how learning designers respond to diverse needs—navigating unique demographics, traditions, and policy landscapes—to create meaningful educational experiences. We will discuss the creative strategies, emerging competencies, and organizational models that are shaping learning design in contexts often overlooked by mainstream narratives. Whether you’re a designer, educator, or leader, this session will spark fresh perspectives on what it means to build impactful learning experiences in a complex world.

Inside “Learning Designers in Context”: Chapter 2 (Discount Code for 20% off: 26SMA2)

Emilia in an International Financial Institution

Abstract:

Emilia, is a learning design professional based in Chile and Spain, who brings a wealth of expertise to the field, supported by her academic achievements, including master’s degrees in instructional design and e-learning design. Her career spans diverse sectors such as mining, banking, energy, and public administration, where she has developed online training programs.

For me, the key to success [as a learning designer] consists of earning the client’s trust so that they let you do what you do best. I would tell people who want to get involved in this field to learn the instructional design process and to start with the basics, do not skip stages. I would recommend that the last factor that they consider is technology and for them to have a big toolbox of theories.

Emilia emphasizes the integration of instructional design theory with project management skills, advocating for tools like Gantt charts and critical path methods to enhance efficiency. She highlights the importance of evidence-based practices and clear communication to ensure meaningful design processes. Emilia also underscores the need for competencies in development, graphic production, and user experience design, aligning with research that stresses the interdisciplinary nature of effective e-learning. Additionally, she advocates for ethical decision-making in instructional design to address its value-laden nature. Her insights provide valuable guidance for learning designers navigating complex organizational contexts.

Romero-Hall, E. (2025). Learning Designers in Context: Examining Practices Across the Global South. Routledge. https://doi.org/10.4324/9781003270591

Photo by Juan Pablo Ahumada on Unsplash

Inside “Learning Designers in Context”: Chapter 1 (Discount Code for 20% off: 26SMA2)

Practice, Competencies, and Context

Abstract:

This chapter explores learning design competencies at the intersection of geographical, cultural, sectoral, and organizational contexts. It provides critical insights into how learning design practices are disseminated globally, emphasizing the evolving role of learning designers in diverse settings. The uneven dissemination of these practices across regions underscores the need to examine both similarities and differences in approaches worldwide. By critiquing the limited research on practitioners in underrepresented regions, particularly the Global South, this chapter advocates for a broader and more inclusive understanding of global practices. The chapter highlights the importance of culturally contextualized approaches to better address the unique challenges and opportunities faced by learning designers across varied contexts.

Despite the contextual differences in their work, one element that all practitioners share is their passion for and dedication to the learning design practice. As shown by the narratives shared in this book, learning design and technology is systematic but is also about questioning things (e.g., why are we using this particular method?) while considering all factors (e.g., have we done quality checks?) to create learning experiences that fully equip learners (e.g., what reading level is best for the learners? How can we design an engaging learning activity?). Learning design practice is about problem-solving with one’s team, connecting with one’s (internal or external) clients, and lifelong learning.

Google Book Preview:

You can read Chapter 1 using the Google Book preview link: Chapter 1.

Romero-Hall, E. (2025). Learning Designers in Context: Examining Practices Across the Global South. Routledge. https://doi.org/10.4324/9781003270591

Inside “Learning Designers in Context”: Chapter Samples (Discount Code for 20% off: 26SMA2)

I am a huge advocate of open educational resources so it is very hard to publish work that cannot be openly share to the community and readers that it was intended for. As I navigate this conundrum I think of ways in which this can be accomplished with my recently published book. So far, I have reached out to the publisher and asked if I could share a sneak peek of the book. They agreed with that and it let me to share Chapter 15 in this blog post: Sneak Preview of “Learning Designers in Context” . I also recently noticed that with Google Books you can view samples of the book including the Preface and Chapter 1. You can also read a sample of the Preface and Chapter 1 by searching for the book on Amazon.

But honestly if anyone is interested in getting a copy of Learning Designers in Context, please reach out via email. I am happy to share a PDF of the book. You are also welcome to “request full-text” via ResearchGate: https://www.researchgate.net/publication/398375917_Learning_Designers_in_Context. I am pretty good at responding to request I get.

I should add that all University of Tennessee Knoxville students, faculty, and staff who have a NETID can access the book from the UT library. Thanks to our UTK Librarians (who are amazing people!), we have a digital copy of the book and can be found here.

For those in the northern hemisphere: Stay safe and warm!
For those on the southern hemisphere: Happy Summer!

“Learning Designers in Context” is now published! (Discount Code for 20% off: 26SMA2)

I wanted to pass along that my latest book is now published and available!

Learning Designers in Context: Examining Practice Across the Global South examines learning design across professional sectors, local cultures, and geographic regions in the Global South, addressing the ways in which practitioners effectively draw on the knowledge, skills, and resources available to them. The book explores design and implementation in higher education, corporate, non-profit, and government sectors while attending to urgent cultural and geographic distinctions, these chapters vividly illustrate the roles, challenges, and opportunities of learning designers’ use in real-world settings home to specific demographics, traditions, socioeconomic parameters, and policy orientations.

For more information about the book, and to order a copy (exam copies available), please visit: Learning Designers in Context (currently at a 20% discount). This file offers a brief sample of the book, including the table of contents and the concluding chapter: Book Sample including Table of Content and Chapter 15.

Please feel free to share with anyone who may find it useful.

A smiling person with curly hair and bright yellow glasses holds up a book titled Learning Designers in Context: Examining Practices Across the Global South by Enilda Romero-Hall. The person is wearing a brown fleece jacket and standing indoors. The book cover features purple and pink hexagonal graphics on a white background.

The acknowledgement

Five years ago, I embarked on this book writing journey. I had the idea to write this book even before my previous book “Research Methods on Learning, Design, and Technology” was published in October 2020. The email I sent to the publisher on July 17, 2020 read:

I have an idea for a book project and I am wondering if I could chat with you to discuss it. I want to know if this is a topic that would be considered before working on the book proposal

I knew exactly what I wanted to write. I was inspired by the findings of a book chapter (titled: “Educational Technologists in Latin America and the Caribbean: Perceived Importance of Competencies for Practice”) that I co-authored with my former graduate students: Leonor Adams, Erika Petersen, and Adriana Viana. In the process of disseminating the survey for data collection we came across pockets of learning designers throughout Latin America and the Caribbean. It made me wonder how much we had yet to learn from learning designers in other parts of the world and the context of their practice.

I would like to express my gratitude to the learning designers who took the time to meet with me and share their journeys into learning design practice. Your bravery and sincerity are truly appreciated. Your willingness to open up about your experiences, challenges, and successes has provided invaluable insights that will undoubtedly enrich the field of learning design. Your contributions have not only enhanced this work but also inspired me personally. Thank you for your dedication and for being a source of inspiration to others in the profession.

I am beyond grateful for the support of McFadden Hall for cheering me on throughout this process, brainstorming with me when I needed a voice of reason, and holding my hand when I just wanted to give up.

Thank you to the University of Tennessee Knoxville for providing resources and funds, which were instrumental in facilitating various aspects of this book project.

Making it through every step (i.e., writing a proposal, submitting the IRB, conducting the interviews, formatting, transcribing, translating, editing the chapters, writing, and organizing) seemed like a massive ordeal while leaving through changes in my personal and professional life. I am so incredibly thankful for those who have, in many ways, inspired and encouraged me without even knowing it. Gratitude!

“Learning Designers in Context” Now Available for Pre-Order (Discount Code for 20% off: 26SMA2)

I do not know how many people actually read this blog, but I figured I would go ahead and share that “Learning Designers in Context” is now available for pre-order.

It also is discounted right now, when you order it directly from the publisher: Pre-Order Here

The book is scheduled for release December 5th, 2025. Copies of the book will be shipped after the released date.

I have previously published two edited books (i.e., Research Methods in Learning Design and Technology, Feminist Pedagogy for Teaching Online) and it honestly feels so different promoting a solo-authored book! In previous instances, I wanted to recognized and disseminate their work of my colleagues who had their work in the edited books, so promoting those books felt easy! However, having to promote my solo-authored book is so hard. I feel like my introverted side all of a sudden takes over!

I also wanted to add that if anyone would like to get a copy of the book, feel free to send me an email. I am happy to share a PDF.