We are happy to welcome Pablo Lerma Gonzalez as the new Course Leader of Social Practice at WdKA. With a rich background as an artist, theorist, and educator, Pablo is no stranger to the academy, having first joined us as a tutor. His deep understanding of Social Practice, combined with his thoughtful and people-centered approach, makes him an exceptional fit for this role. "It's wonderful to see someone with Pablo’s vision and care for both students and teachers take on this task," says Liesbeth Koot, Director of Education.
A global career in art and education
Originally from Barcelona, Pablo’s journey has taken him across the globe. After working in New York as a photography professor at two universities, he moved to the Netherlands in 2018, where he began collaborating with WdKA in 2020. His academic foundation includes a Bachelor's in Fine Arts, two master's degrees, and nearly a PhD, which he left behind to pursue new opportunities in New York. Beyond academia, Pablo is also an artist, creating projects that explore the social activation of archives, institutional structures, power, and representation, with queerness as a central theme.
In addition to his teaching and artistic practice, Pablo runs a publishing project, focusing on works by other artists and archival initiatives within institutions. His approach to education is deeply shaped by embodied knowledge, where the focus on creating content from experience became pivotal to his practice.
Pablo’s journey at WdKA
Pablo’s relationship with WdKA began when he was invited as a guest lecturer for a Social Practice class on power dynamics. That session led to a teaching position in the department, where he started as a theory tutor for Cultural Diversity and Power Play. Over the years, his involvement deepened as he took on more responsibilities, including photography courses and curriculum development.
In his fourth year at WdKA, Pablo became fully integrated into the Social Practice team and even took on the role of interim Course Leader last year. This experience, combined with his continued work on various committees and research projects, laid the groundwork for his current position.
A vision for Social Practice
For Pablo, the opportunity to lead the Social Practice department is a meaningful one. He emphasizes the unique nature of the program and its potential to shape the future of education. "Social Practice brings methodologies and values that position students in the moment we live in," he says. He believes that the core values of Social Practice—exploring power structures, identity, climate justice, gender, feminism, and race—should be embedded across WdKA's curriculum.
Pablo sees the integration of these themes as vital for helping students understand who they want to be as professionals. While acknowledging that the department cannot solve all the world’s problems, he hopes to create spaces within the academy where meaningful conversations can take place, giving students the skills to navigate complex, often challenging topics.
As he steps into his new role, Pablo is determined to stay connected to the students and tutors, continuing to teach and engage with the day-to-day realities of the program. "It’s important not to get detached in an office position," he explains, and he remains committed to fostering dialogue and growth within the Social Practice department.
