Associate Director of Educational Research and Policy

The opportunity

This is an exciting opportunity to play a pivotal role shaping University of the Arts London’s learning & teaching research agenda, ensuring it supports TEF (Teaching Excellence Framework) and APP (Access and Participation Plan) goals.

This role is instrumental in positioning UAL as a leader in creative education research, ensuring that policy, research, and academic development work cohesively to support the University’s strategic ambitions.

As Associate Director of Educational Research & Policy, you will lead research-driven initiatives to identify best practices, drive innovation in creative education, and align policy and delivery frameworks with emerging pedagogical approaches. You will implement sector-leading evaluation methodologies to demonstrate the rigor and impact of creative pedagogical innovations, ensuring alignment with regulatory expectations.

You will also provide academic leadership, contributing to the University’s broader research strategy, and will be responsible for securing external research funding, as well as acting as Director of Study and/or research degree supervisor, supporting the next generation of researchers, and contributing to institutional research impact, ensuring UAL’s work is recognised externally.

 

Your profile

You will need a PhD in a relevant area of creative pedagogical research, with experience of managing a research community, and a recognised national or international research active profile.

You will also be recognised as a member of the Senior Fellowship of the Higher Education Academy, with a proven record of internationally excellent research outputs, and experience in building strategic external collaborations.

We are UAL

University of the Arts London (UAL) generates and inspires the creativity the world needs for a better future. Since 1842, our colleges have been defining creative education. With curiosity, imagination and intent we make work which creates lasting change for people and our planet. London is core to who we are, a place where we meet and share ideas with people from different backgrounds and cultures.

Our creative network influences learning, culture, industry and society on a global scale. Our academics and practitioners deliver creative education and inspire new ways of thinking through research and innovation. We work with students at every level from pre-degree and short courses to postgraduate and online learning, enabling them to build the careers they want. Together, we are a community of makers, thinkers, pioneers and storytellers redesigning the future.

As a University we are ranked second in the world for Art and Design. We are formed of 6 Colleges with unique histories and identities: Camberwell College of Arts, Central Saint Martins, Chelsea College of Arts, London College of Communication, London College of Fashion and Wimbledon College of Arts. UAL also has 4 Institutes, 5 Research Centres, 1 Pre-Degree School and 2 subsidiary companies delivering specialist activities.

Application process

We operate a fair and open anonymous selection process. Thus, you will need to create an account and submit an application through our job board. As part of this, you will need to provide a supporting statement/answer some competency questions to demonstrate your suitability. Our recruitment process involves: Application, Shortlisting, Interview and Assessment, Offer, Onboarding.

We understand the benefits of using AI in work. But, if you are thinking of using it to submit an application, we ask you to think about what value it adds. AI tools tend to lack the personal touch and authenticity we value in candidates. We encourage you to showcase your unique knowledge and skills using your own voice.

If we receive a high volume of applications, the closing day date might close early. We aim to communicate any changes to the closing date with at least 24 hours’ notice. If you have any general questions or have accessibility needs, please refer to our Contact us page.

Start your application

Candidates are advised to submit applications early.