Shape the future of Art, Design and Media education
We are seeking an exceptional academic leader to join the University of Cumbria as Principal Lecturer in Learning and Teaching (Creative Arts).
This is an exciting opportunity for an experienced and innovative educator to provide leadership across our Art, Design and Media provision, advancing excellence in curriculum development, learning and teaching, student experience and academic quality.
As a Principal Lecturer, you will play a pivotal role in shaping the future of creative education within the Faculty of Science, Environment, Education and Arts. You will work collaboratively with colleagues, students, industry partners and professional bodies to ensure our programmes remain innovative, inclusive, professionally relevant and academically challenging.
About the role:
The successful candidate will provide academic leadership across a portfolio of programmes and will:
Lead and support excellence in learning, teaching and assessment across our creative arts portfolio.
Guide curriculum innovation and programme development, including the creation of new and distinctive provision.
Support the growth and development of academic colleagues through mentoring, coaching and professional development.
Promote student success, engagement, retention and progression.
Contribute to institutional strategies relating to learning and teaching, widening participation and educational innovation.
Nurture a culture of scholarship, research-informed teaching and professional practice.
Build and sustain productive partnerships with employers, professional bodies, schools, colleges and cultural organisations.
Contribute to Faculty and University leadership, planning and quality enhancement activities.
About you:
You will be an experienced academic leader with a proven record of enhancing learning and teaching within higher education. You will have significant people management experience and a proven ability to lead teams successfully through change, fostering a culture of collaboration, innovation and continuous improvement.
You will bring:
A Master's degree and either a completed PhD or progress towards doctoral-level study.
Significant experience of curriculum leadership and enhancement within Art and Design.
Experience of supporting and developing colleagues and teams to achieve shared goals.
Expertise in contemporary pedagogies and innovative approaches to creative education.
A commitment to inclusive education and widening participation.
Experience of applying scholarship, research and professional practice to enhance learning and teaching.
Excellent communication, relationship-building and partnership-development skills.
A commitment to helping students and colleagues succeed and flourish.
We are particularly interested in candidates who can demonstrate creativity, curiosity, ambition and the ability to work with others to deliver meaningful and sustainable change in higher education.
We are the University of Cumbria, for and from Cumbria and our localities, rooted in serving our communities, with people, place and partnership at our heart.
Now is a very exciting time to be joining us because we are delivering a new "Towards 2030" strategic plan focused on making the most of our three most valuable assets; People, Place and Partnerships, to become a catalyst for economic well-being for our region, nationally and internationally.
We are seeking innovative, creative, high quality researchers, and scholars to foster a culture of exploration, discovery and intellectual challenge that generates international recognition, respect and engagement.
In return, the University offers an attractive benefits package including 35 days' annual leave plus bank holidays, 25 research and scholarly activity days, support for professional development, support to achieve Higher Education Academy/Advance HE accreditation, mentor provision in the first year of employment and opportunity for career development.
Informal enquiries:
We welcome informal discussions about the role. Please contact Dr Sarah Bonner
[email protected]
Further details:
Job Description
We encourage applications from the broadest range of society, including all under-represented groups with particular emphasis on Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic candidates, who are currently under-represented in our University and in comparison, to the sector.
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Job Details
Department
Arts
Location
Carlisle - Brampton Road
Starting Salary
£58,225 with incremental progression to £67,468
Post Type
Full Time
Contract Type
Fixed Term - Ends 31/07/2027
Release Date
Wednesday 12 August 2026
Closing Date
23.59 hours BST on Wednesday 02 September 2026
Reference
XX161326
