Source: Paul Cochrane
Deakin: the co-founder of electronic duo Lemon Jelly aims to share his expertise
Fred Deakin, the new professor of interactive design at the University of the Arts London, acknowledges that his career has been 鈥減retty unconventional鈥. In truth, most are less likely to associate him with the academy than with his work as one half of the Mercury Music Prize and Brit Awards-nominated electronic duo Lemon Jelly.
鈥淚t鈥檚 the first job I鈥檝e had in about 20 years, so it鈥檚 extremely unusual for me. I鈥檓 very used to being a self-starter and running my own projects, but I think that鈥檚 kind of what they鈥檙e looking for,鈥 he said.
Professor Deakin, who is one of nine new cross-university chairs appointed by the institution, said that despite his varied career he had always 鈥渉ad a toe鈥 in the teaching world, and was keen to use his expertise to enhance students鈥 learning experience.
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鈥淚鈥檝e taught one day a week, on and off, since the 1990s at Central Saint Martins [part of UAL], so I鈥檓 very familiar with UAL and have got lots of pals who are both graduates and staff,鈥 he said.
鈥淐learly UAL has recognised that arts education is in such a period of massive transition, and has been impacted so enormously by the technological revolution we鈥檙e in the middle of, that some fairly bold steps are required to keep arts education in this country at the top of the pile.鈥
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Professor Deakin, who turned down another professorial position at the Bergen Academy of Art and Design, added that he 鈥渂elieves passionately in this country鈥檚 creative industries and creativity full stop鈥.
鈥淭he whole world looks to Britain for its creativity, and I think that is very largely [due to] arts education,鈥 he said.
With that in mind, he aims to arrange 鈥渞egular workshop space where I can recreate a digital studio environment and bring students into that with staff and possibly industry experts to create projects鈥.
鈥淚 want to encourage digital practice to be embodied within existing work,鈥 he said.
鈥淰irtually every project will have some kind of digital component. On the other hand, I don鈥檛 think the projects are very powerful if they exist only online. You need to have an appropriate manifestation of what you鈥檙e doing in the digital space.鈥
Professor Deakin acknowledged that he was one of many people in his field who see an academic job as appealing.
鈥淚t鈥檚 very interesting seeing this transition; there are plenty of other people from my industry stepping into these spaces, not just as professors but visiting fellows and artists in residence,鈥 he said.
鈥淔or some there鈥檚 a hunger鈥o take the knowledge and learning they鈥檝e generated as part of their practice and do something with it.鈥 The university, Professor Deakin added, is 鈥渟howing how that can happen in an interesting way and I聽think it鈥檚 an emerging trend鈥.
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New role call: arts and humanities vacancies
University of the Arts London
The University of the Arts London is seeking a programme director to lead its technology enhanced learning strategy.
Closing date for applications: 31 January 2014
The Open University
The Open University is seeking a lecturer to join its department of history. The post is based in Milton Keynes.
Closing date for applications: 6 February 2014
Soas, University of London
Soas, University of London, is inviting applications for the David L.聽Snellgrove chair in Tibetan and Buddhist art, an appointment made possible by a gift of 拢20聽million from the Alphawood Foundation in the US to advance the study of Buddhist and Hindu art in Southeast Asia.
Closing date for applications: 7 February 2014
Appointments
Sian Sullivan has joined Bath Spa University as professor of environment and culture in the School of Society, Enterprise and Environment. She was previously senior lecturer in environment and development at Birkbeck, University of London.
The Bartlett School of Architecture, University College London鈥檚 faculty of the built environment, has named 叠辞产听厂丑别颈濒 its new director.
Doug Thomson has been appointed director of campaign and alumni relations at the University of Nottingham.
London South Bank University has named Sally Hardy head of the department of mental health and learning disabilities.
James Conroy becomes vice-principal of internationalisation at the University of Glasgow. He is dean for European strategy and engagement, and professor of religious and philosophical education.
The Faculty of Health and Social Care at the University of Chester has made three senior appointments. Malcolm Carey has been named head of social work, Naomi Sharples joins as head of mental health and learning disability, and Paul Kingston will lead the new Centre for Ageing Studies.
Middlesex University has appointed Hilary Robinson to the post of dean of its School of Art and Design. Professor Robinson was previously dean of the College of Fine Arts at Carnegie Mellon University.
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The Courtauld Institute of Art has announced the appointment of Robert Thorpe as director of operations. He joins the institute from the University of Oxford, where he was operations director of the Ashmolean Museum.
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