Head of Programme (Information Experience Design)

The Royal College of Art is the UK’s only entirely postgraduate institution of art and design, dedicated to teaching, research and knowledge exchange with industry. In 2020, the RCA was named the world’s leading art and design institute for the sixth consecutive year by the QS World University Rankings by Subject.

Within the School of Communication, the Information Experience Design [IED] programme encourages students to design experiences to communicate information, creating installations and interventions that engage senses and concepts through a plurality of modes and media. The programme approaches social and technological systems critically, and works across and between art and design, grounding the development of creative practices in theories and research methods drawn from arts, science and philosophy. Creative practitioners today can no longer afford to be constrained by traditional specialisms and outdated definitions of art, design, science and technology. IED takes a post-digital and post-disciplinary approach, working across these areas, undertaking advanced research and practice on the intellect, the senses and the imagination, using a wide range of media, materials and methods. IED looks beyond the object, product and screen to content, context and concept; and beyond binary concepts such as human, artificial and natural, aiming for individual and societal transformation. IED students have diverse backgrounds in areas including design, science, fine art, technology and the humanities, but share common critical interests in research, materials and making. Our current pathways in Sound Design, Moving Image Design, and Experimental Design are interrelated, focused around different ways of approaching the programme’s core aim of transforming information into ethical, meaningful and inclusive communication experiences.

The RCA is seeking to appoint a Head of Information Experience Design to provide hands-on academic leadership and take overall responsibility for academic quality and direction, research, teaching and learning, and management of all the resources of the Programme and its staff team.

We particularly welcome candidates with an interdisciplinary expertise. The successful candidate will be critically informed and ambitious for the work of the College in developing the Information Experience Design programme and graduates internationally and will also understand the changing nature of higher education in an international and UK context. They will be a proven leader with an internationally recognised track record of research in a related field. The candidate will be an inspirational teacher and have energy and enthusiasm for the student experience, and be able to work well across teams. They will also have the enthusiasm to seek out interdisciplinary opportunities both within the RCA and externally, and to steward, cultivate and engage with established and new donor communities for fundraising purposes.

If you wish to discuss the role or require further information, please contact Jacqui Anthony, Resourcing Partner via email jacqui.anthony@rca.ac.uk.

How to apply
When applying online, please upload as separate documents:

  • A covering letter (no more than three pages of A4) with narrative text setting out your interest in the role, how you match the criteria, and describing the nature and achievements in your research and wider leadership and managerial responsibilities held and achievements therein.
  • A comprehensive curriculum vitae (CV) detailing relevant academic and professional qualifications, full employment history.
  • Details of your current remuneration and contact details for two referees, one of whom should be your current employer. (Referees will not be contacted without your permission)

The closing date for applications is 5 July 2020.

The Selection Panel will meet to shortlist the field and shortlisted candidates will be invited to attend interview later in July 2020.

Apply

Opportunity Type

Employment

Contact Name

Jacqui Anthony

Contact Email

jacqui.anthony@rca.ac.uk

Website

http://track.artsjobsonline.com/38hg

Start Date

8th June 2020

Closing Date

5th July 2020