Faculty of Arts, Design and Social Sciences

Northumbria is a research-intensive modern university with a global reputation for academic excellence.

Ranked in the UK top 50 (Guardian University League Table 2022 and Complete University Guide 2023), Northumbria recorded the biggest rise of any UK university for research power in the Research Excellence Framework for the second time in 2021 and is now rated within the top 25 in the UK.

At Northumbria, we embrace tomorrow. We pursue new thinking, forge new partnerships, create and exchange new knowledge, and find new solutions. Our inspirational academics, partners and students work together to tackle tomorrow’s challenges head on. We are ready for the future whatever it may hold. We are looking for future colleagues that share our ambition.

Northumbria School of Design has a global reputation for design-led research with an emphasis on practice, understanding and redefining problems, and making positive real-world change. Our staff, students and collaborators engage in developing new and innovative practices within design, and in innovation and research through design. Our staff have pioneered original approaches for evolving design research practices, emerging technologies, craft, co-creation, participatory design, and responsible design practice. In REF2021 Northumbria ranked 4^th for Research Power in UoA 32 (Art and Design), with 76% of outputs and 94% of impact case studies classed as “internationally excellent” and above, with our research environment recognised as 100% world-leading (4*) and internationally excellent (3*). The School is an inclusive and vibrant contributor believing that Design is essential and transformative in Society and we aim to make a real difference through our research and education in a thriving community of academic, technical support staff and students.

You will be joining an intellectually rich, diverse, and inclusive School where gender and race equality underpin our ethos and approach to teaching, research, and leadership. We value and celebrate diversity of ideas, people, and practices and are committed to maintain a supportive working environment for all. We actively harness the power and potential of our civic duties and understand that varied perspectives will mean we are better placed to respond to complex challenges and big questions facing our disciplines, communities, and stakeholders. We particularly welcome applications from candidates from underrepresented communities in academia and from Black and Global Majority colleagues.

Northumbria School of Design has been delivering Fashion education for over 60 years and has established a significant reputation for outstanding graduates with creative vision, commercial realism, industry knowledge and skills. The School is seeking to appoint an outstanding individual with experience in both education and research as well as the leadership qualities required to inform and advance research and education in the field of Fashion Communication at Northumbria. The successful candidate will have a broad knowledge of the practice and theory of Fashion Communication, with contextual research and professional practice within the field.

You will have academic and industry knowledge in one or more of the following areas: Fashion journalism and content creation, fashion social media and communication strategy, design and implementation; digital and physical environments; creative storytelling and campaign delivery; creative direction and fashion styling. You will demonstrate an ethical and social commitment to the development of Fashion Communication in society and a detailed understanding of the creative, technical, and applied skills required of the discipline.

For informal enquiries about this post please contact: Dr Heather Robson, Head of the School of Design h.robson@northumbria.ac.uk

To apply for this vacancy please click 'Apply Now', and submit a covering letter, CV including research /education statements, and grants and publications list. Please highlight your highest quality research outputs up to a maximum of 4. In addition, candidates are asked to provide copies of the top 2 research outputs (Journal / book chapter /practice-based portfolio). Where possible candidates are asked to combine all documents into a single file.

Northumbria is one of the largest universities in the UK with over 37,000 students from 137 countries. Putting students at the heart of an outstanding experience, and with world-leading research and award-winning partnerships, Northumbria is a new kind of excellent university. Discover more about us.

Northumbria University is a great place to work. We empower our exceptional people to achieve shared ambitions and promote a positive work life balance. To say thank you, we offer a wide range of benefits including excellent pension schemes, flexible working, a generous holiday entitlement, continued commitment to your learning and development and more.

We are an on-campus organisation where colleagues work regular patterns of hours and on campus, with some flexibility on the timing of their hours and the location of their work in discussion with their manager.

Northumbria University is committed to creating an inclusive culture where we take pride in, and value, the diversity of our staff. We encourage and welcome applications from all members of the community. The University holds a bronze Athena Swan award in recognition of our commitment to advancing gender equality, we are a Disability Confident Employer, a member of the Race Equality Charter and are participating in the Stonewall Diversity Champion Programme. We are also a member of the Euraxess network, which delivers information and support to professional researchers. The University has implemented a range of flexible working arrangements, and we are happy to explore candidate requirements as part of the recruitment process.

We welcome applications from the UK and across the world. Visit our web pages for details about Relocation Assistance.

This post is advertised across our Assistant Professor and Lecturer roles (role descriptions are attached). Colleagues appointed into our Lecturer grade are usually early career academics who are supported through their probationary period to develop their Academic profile. Upon completion of probation objectives these colleagues are automatically moved into the Assistant Professor role. The selection panel will assess your application and discuss with you which role you are being considered for at selection and appointment stages.

Please note this vacancy will close on 03/10/2022