Dr Saima Nomaan holds a Doctor of Education (EdD) in TESOL from the University of Exeter, UK, alongside dual master’s degrees in TESOL Studies and English Language & Literature. She also holds postgraduate diplomas in TEFL and College Management, a Higher Education Teaching Certificate from Harvard University, and is a Fellow of the Higher Education Academy (FHEA), UK. She is recognised as a Microsoft Faculty Fellow and holds professional certifications as a GenAI Educator and Inclusive Educator, reflecting her commitment to innovative, ethical, and accessible approaches to education.

Over the course of an international career spanning more than 16 years, Dr Nomaan has worked across higher education institutions in Pakistan, the United Arab Emirates, and the United Kingdom. Her previous appointments include roles at Allama Iqbal Open University, Pakistan, the Higher Colleges of Technology, UAE, and Canadian University Dubai, where she contributed to curriculum innovation, academic leadership, faculty development, and technology-enhanced learning initiatives.

Dr Nomaan’s research and scholarship examine the intersections of English language education, educational technology, professional learning, and artificial intelligence in higher education. She has published in internationally recognised peer-reviewed journals and regularly presents at international conferences. Her recent work explores generative AI, AI-assisted feedback, digital pedagogy, faculty adaptation to technological change, and the implications of emerging technologies for teaching, learning, and academic practice.

As a scholar-practitioner, Dr Nomaan is committed to bridging research and practice through evidence-informed approaches that enhance educational quality and learner success. Her work seeks to support educators and institutions in responding to evolving technological, pedagogical, and societal challenges, while contributing to broader discussions on innovation, inclusion, academic integrity, and the future of higher education.

Current research

Dr Nomaan’s current research focuses on the intersection of educational technology, teacher professional development, and artificial intelligence (AI) in higher education. Her work explores how educators and institutions adapt to technological change, with particular attention to digital pedagogy, generative AI, AI-assisted feedback, faculty development, professional learning, and technology-enhanced teaching practices. She has published in internationally recognised peer-reviewed journals and regularly presents her work at international conferences.

Doctoral research

Dr Nomaan recently completed her Doctor of Education (EdD) in TESOL at the University of Exeter, UK. Her doctoral research examined professional development for e-learning and educational technology among Higher Education English Language Teaching (ELT) faculty in Pakistan. A key contribution of the study was extending the widely used Technological Pedagogical Content Knowledge (TPACK) framework by proposing the Technological, Pedagogical, Affective, and Content Knowledge (TPAACK) framework. This work highlighted the importance of affective dimensions — including motivation, confidence, resilience, anxiety, and professional identity — in shaping educators’ engagement with educational technology and professional learning. The study contributes to ongoing discussions surrounding digital transformation, faculty development, and technology integration in higher education.

Broader research interests

Dr Nomaan’s broader research interests include English language teaching (ELT), educational technology, digital pedagogy, professional learning, faculty development, academic integrity, and the ethical implications of artificial intelligence in education. She is also interested in educational policy, professional identity, equity and inclusion, and the ways in which language, power, culture, and globalisation influence teaching and learning in diverse educational contexts.