John Zobrist

Head of Innovation

John was appointed Head of Innovation at UWCSEA East in 2020, bringing more than two decades of experience nurturing student innovators to identify social, environmental and economic problems and apply creative concepts to improve individuals and communities. 

For eight years prior to his appointment to lead the development and implementation of the innovation@east initiative, John served as Head of Design and Technology at the East Campus, where, as the founding department head in the then-newly established campus, he developed the Design and Technology facilities and oversaw the dynamic curriculum for Middle and High School students, including Grade 9 and 10 IGCSE Design and Technology courses in Systems and Control, Resistant Materials and Food and Nutrition, and the Grade 11 and 12 IB Diploma Design and Technology Standard and Higher level courses. He also focused on facilitating the use of multi-purpose workspaces by dynamic teams with diverse competencies, and initiating opportunities for younger students to access the design and technology space on campus. 

Prior to UWCSEA, John was Head of Design and Technology for West Island school in Hong Kong, where he led curriculum development for secondary school and IB Design Technology students. In January 2015, John was awarded the International Development and Support of Design and Technology award by the UK’s Trustees of the Design and Technology Association for his efforts to develop a department that supports the promotion of Design Technology across Southeast Asia. John holds a Bachelor’s of Education from Sheffield Hallam University in South Yorkshire, England.