ULRICH NORBISRATH // PROFESSOR // UNIVERSITY OF TARTU
»ENLIGHT reminded me that there is a massive, pan‑European community that believes education is the heart of the university.«
Ulrich Norbisrath, Professor of Distributed Systems at the University of Tartu, has built his career at the intersection of technology, creativity, and education. In this interview, he reflects on his drive to push beyond conventional ways of learning and innovating within academia. Through both his personal initiatives and his involvement in ENLIGHT, he has found a calling in empowering others and fostering meaningful, forward‑thinking collaboration.
Ulrich Norbisrath testing out the results of a Bachelor's thesis of one of his students at an IT academy presentation (Image: personal gallery)
Where are you from?
I was born in Aachen, Germany, but having lived all over the world, I’m
often inclined to say I’m simply from Planet Earth. I tend to bring that
global perspective into everything I do.
What do you like to do in your free time?
I’m a maker at heart, so I spend a lot of time tinkering. When I’m not
at a workbench, you’ll find me dancing, biking, singing, or lost in a
good book.
What are you teaching and/or researching?
I teach "Introduction to the Internet of Things" and "Virtual Reality."
My research sits at the intersection of these two: Digital Twins and
Extended Reality. I’m particularly passionate about creativity in
education, which I explore through the lens of my own teaching
framework, IoTempower, designed to make learning IoT more intuitive and
impactful.
Why did you choose your field of teaching and research?
I’ve always been drawn to where I can make the most tangible impact.
Early on, I realized I had a natural gift for breaking down complex
concepts, and I wanted to use that to empower others. While the academic
world often prioritizes metrics and funding, I chose this path to
champion a different kind of impact—one where we focus on genuine
innovation and the human element of technology. For me, being in
research is about finding better ways to solve real-world problems, even
if that means challenging the traditional "publish or perish" status quo.
What do you like the most about your current occupation?
The students, without a doubt. There’s a specific energy in the
classroom when a concept clicks. I also deeply value the intellectual
freedom I have at the University of Tartu and the collaborative spirit
of my colleagues; we have a relatively flat hierarchy that allows for
genuine exchange.
How did you hear about ENLIGHT?
Because of my focus on teaching innovation, I naturally gravitated
toward being an advocate for better educational practices within my
institute. This led me to become an informal representative for ENLIGHT.
I started by hosting workshops for visiting ENLIGHT groups and found
that the organizers and facilitators shared my vision for what modern
higher education should look like.
Have you been a part of any ENLIGHT activity or course? If so, how would you describe the experience?
It has been an incredibly validating experience. In an environment
where the systemic pressure of research can sometimes overshadow the
classroom, ENLIGHT is a breath of fresh air. Whether it was the teaching
conferences, lighthouse activities, or hosting fellow educators, the
experience reminded me that there is a massive, pan-European community
that believes education is the heart of the university.
How do you feel participation in ENLIGHT has changed your perception of
collaboration, research and education?
It has restored my faith in the idea that collaboration and education
can—and should—be the primary drivers of academia. It has highlighted
the contrast between the rigid, funding-driven side of research and the
vibrant, open-source spirit of the ENLIGHT network. It’s shown me that
when we prioritize the exchange of ideas over the collection of
citations, everyone wins.
How would you describe ENLIGHT in two sentences?
A deeply caring organization that connects the most forward-thinking
educators across Europe to redefine the university experience. It is
where the right ideas about teaching finally get the platform they
deserve.
If you were to recommend ENLIGHT to a colleague, what would you say?
If you care about students and collaboration, join us—you’ll find your
people here. And if you’re someone who sees teaching as a "necessary
evil" compared to grant-writing, come anyway; we might just convince you
that the classroom is where the real revolution happens.
Ulrich Norbisrath (in the middle) at the open theses advertisement and research groups presentation event in Tartu in the beginning of the 2025/2026 spring semester (Image: personal gallery).