Course Leader – MA Culture, Criticism and Curation (Maternity Cover)

The opportunity

This is an exciting opportunity to lead a distinctive and internationally respected postgraduate course at Central Saint Martins, University of the Arts London. We’re seeking an inspiring and experienced academic leader to guide the MA Culture, Criticism and Curation (MACCC) course through a one-year maternity cover appointment.

You will shape and oversee all aspects of the course—providing academic leadership, nurturing staff and student communities, and ensuring the delivery of an ambitious, inclusive, and relevant curriculum. Drawing on your experience and expertise in curatorial practice and cultural theory, you will work with a committed teaching team and talented student cohort to foster critical engagement, creativity, and intellectual rigour.

As part of CSM’s Culture and Enterprise Programme, MACCC offers a unique space to interrogate culture through writing, exhibition-making and curatorial work. You’ll play a central role in maintaining and evolving this reputation, engaging with internal colleagues and external partners to ensure the course remains responsive to contemporary cultural debates.

Your profile

You’re an experienced academic and proven team leader with a strong background in curatorial practice, cultural criticism, or related disciplines. You have a track record of delivering postgraduate-level teaching, managing teams, and enhancing the student experience.

You bring clear, inclusive communication skills and a thoughtful approach to leadership, underpinned by a commitment to equity, diversity and inclusion. You're skilled at motivating teams, navigating change, and aligning academic vision with practical delivery.

Ideally, you bring current research or professional practice that contributes to the field, and are familiar with debates around decolonising the curriculum and supporting inclusive academic environments. Above all, you're passionate about nurturing thoughtful, critical, and socially engaged cultural practitioners.

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.