Lecturer - Photography (0.5FTE)

Job Summary

You will be joining a dynamic Art School that offers a broad range of courses across disciplines in Art, Design, Media, Architecture and the Built Environment at undergraduate and postgraduate levels. The school is a vibrant, creative environment where studio practice enjoys a close relationship with theoretical and contextual study.

The school aims to develop graduates who can thrive in the creative economy, equipped with knowledge, passion and self-confidence. The school is focusing its provision to support students in developing strong digital competencies, working practices compatible with sustainability agendas, and equipped with effective enterprise skill sets.

Our BA (Hons) Photography course is employment-focused and supports students who wish to specialise in a broad range of specialisms such as Documentary/Photo-Journalism, Sports, and Fashion Photography. The course encourages hybrid practice and collaboration in the development of photographic practice that span our creative courses.

You will have experience of working in industry and, ideally, you will be a practicing Photographer with a clear understanding of sustainable practice and critical theory. You will be committed to delivering learning experiences that will support the development of strong employable graduates who are confident, socially engaged, critical, and enterprising.

You will have an awareness of not only the theoretical and practical strategies of the discipline, but also its function and potential as an educational and cultural force. You will have evidence of your academic expertise and professional practice to contribute to the continued development of the Photography course, maintaining currency and innovating within teaching and learning practice and through identified research interests.

The University has recently established a new and energetic research strategy, and it is envisaged that the successful applicant will be eligible to apply to and contribute to the research profile and practice of the art school over time.

This post is subject to a Disclosure Scotland check. For more information visit: https://www.mygov.scot/basic-disclosure/

Grade 7 Salary Scale: £39,906 - 46,049
Grade 8 Salary Scale: £47,389 – 56,535

Salary on appointment will be dependent upon experience.

Candidates with limited or no prior experience as an academic will be placed on the first point of the Grade 7 scale. Consideration will be given to offering an Academic Attraction Payment (adjusted annually) for those candidates who have specific industry knowledge, skills or, expertise which are required for the position.

Please see the job attachments for further information regarding the Grade 7 and Grade 8 criteria. Further guidance on Academic Attraction Payments can be found here.

As per the UKVI immigration rules, this role may be eligible for sponsorship under the Skilled Worker route.  Sponsorship under this route is dependent on factors specific to the applicant and if tradeable points can be used under the rules.

Job Description

RESPONSIBLE TO: Principal Lecturer

RESPONSIBLE FOR: No supervisory responsibility

PURPOSE OF POST: Contribute to the delivery and development of the Photography course and actively engages in research/consultancy activities.

PRINCIPAL DUTIES:

• Actively contribute to the implementation of teaching and learning, research, and income generation plans and strategies, and positively participate in staff development activities.

• Play an active and constructive part in contributing to course provision through preparation and delivery of materials, conducting assessments, and liaising with students, staff, employers and mentors as necessary.

(Please note some academic programmes including the university’s Master's Graduate Apprenticeship programme require aspects of delivery throughout the summer months.)

• Carry out other designated teaching (e.g. via lectures, seminars, tutorials, open and distance learning, workshops, field trips, studio work, etc.) and assessment duties in areas of expertise, or as otherwise required. This applies to Undergraduate, Postgraduate, or Corporate delivery, and includes activities such as:

- Curriculum design and review.

- Planning and implementing innovation in teaching & learning to include a high level of digital skills and knowledge.

- Planning and implementing novel assessment strategies.

- Preparing for / actively participating in QAA and professional body accreditations.

- Preparing for / actively participating in Subject reviews.

- Developing, preparing, and reviewing teaching materials, and provide tutorial and personal guidance for students.

• Ensure that the Course / Module design and delivery achieve KPI targets and appropriate quality standards through effective Course / Module leadership i.e. National Student Survey, Student Achievement Rates etc.

• Liaise with the School Leadership Team, Principal Lecturer, and key team members as necessary to:

- Identify and proactively address areas where current provision needs revision or improvement, with particular regard to maintaining ‘currency’ relevant to the student cohort(s) and professional requirements.

- Respond positively to day-to-day student feedback and modify approaches to delivery where appropriate.

- Set and assess student coursework, presentations, examinations; provide feedback to students to agreed deadlines using a variety of methods.

• Contribute to the research culture of the school and actively pursue opportunities for research informed teaching and publication. Actively pursues research / scholarship activities.

• Develop and maintain professional-level expertise in subject area.

• Undertake appropriate administrative and leadership responsibilities (eg year tutor, stage co-ordination, module co-ordination, student selection, assessment organisation, placement organisation, timetabling, maintaining attendance records etc).

• Promote and market the School locally, nationally and internationally (including student recruitment). Attend and contribute to open days and other marketing activities, some of which may be timetabled outside of core hours.

• Maintain relationships with other Schools/Departments within RGU.

• Establish and maintain relevant professional and industrial links, as necessary, for the effective operation of the School’s courses (e.g. engagement in work of external bodies, educational and professional).

• Represent the School on relevant University committees and the School and University on external committees.

• Carry out such other related duties as may be required.

• Ability to design and deliver online teaching opportunities.

Person Specification

ESSENTIAL REQUIREMENTS

Qualifications and Professional Memberships

First Degree in Art or Design practice or equivalent.

Knowledge

• Comprehensive, contemporary knowledge of the practice of Photography and its context within the creative industries. Understanding of the concepts of research and its application within design practice.
• A high level of digital competency in core design software (CAD, Photoshop, InDesign, Sketchup – or equivalents).
• Knowledge of sustainability agendas, discipline specific practices and approaches to support curriculum developments and changes of practice.
• Knowledge of course development and curriculum design.

Experience

• Experience of ‘practice’ within a professional context. Experience of planning, developing and delivering teaching materials to a range of students. Some experience of using web-based teaching approaches to support studio delivery.
• Experience of supervising and assessing students within a studio.
• Experience of maintaining professional relationships.
• Experience of participation in research and or consultancy / commercial projects.
• Strong digital skills at discipline level and evidence within teaching delivery.
• Commitment to the values of the University.

DESIRABLE REQUIREMENTS

Qualifications and Professional Memberships

• Membership of, or in process of working towards, the Higher Education Academy.
• Masters/PgDip/PhD in related area.

Knowledge:

• Understanding of Higher Education and its processes encompassing quality assurance and the student experience through to widening participation and enhancement of teaching.
• Understanding of the key factors affecting national and international markets, trends and forecasting, and emergent technologies

Experience:

• Experience of, or the ability to develop and lead course curriculum design.
• Established record of research and / or consultancy.
• Experience in the management and organisation of projects, academic courses, or commissions related to the discipline.
• Experience of collaborative working, and contributing to a dynamic, collegiate, positive working environment.

 

Behaviours

Behaviour 1:  Communication Ability to receive, understand and convey information requiring careful explanation and information of a complex or conceptual nature, in a clear and accurate manner.

Behaviour 2:  Pastoral Care and Welfare Experience of: calming and reassuring those with work/study related problems who may be experiencing distress; dealing with difficult welfare situations or confidential matters; providing support for those in considerable distress or requiring long-term complex support.

Behaviour 3:  Teaching and Learning Support Experience of: providing standard information or delivering teaching or training; designing content or learning materials within existing frameworks; developing innovative approaches to learning experience and the curriculum.

Behaviour 4:  Service Delivery Experience of exploring and adapting a service to meet customers expectations and also identifying ways of improving standards.

Behaviour 5:  Liaison and Networking Experiences of: circulating information in an accurate and timely manner; working across team boundaries to build and strengthen working relationships; leading and developing internal networks to pursue a shared interest; leading and building external networks to enhance the work of the organisation.

Behaviour 6:  Analysis and Research Experience of identifying or designing data gathering and analytical methods appropriate for each investigation, and producing reports that identify key issues and findings