Kingston UniversityKingston School of Art is seeking a lecturer in historic building conservation to join its faculty in Kingston upon Thames, UK.
The role
This is an opportunity to join the Department of Architecture and Landscape at the Kingston School of Art as part of our historic building conservation team. Our department combines the study of built and natural environments with immediate access to excellent extensive workshop resources for physical making. These resources are fundamental to our pedagogical approach and provide an opportunity for staff from both academia and practice to welcome students from both academic and craft backgrounds.
Our undergraduate and postgraduate historic building conservation programmes develop exploration around the pathology of the physical fabric, the analysis of historic buildings and debates covering the philosophical aspects of conservation with the impact of governing frameworks and prevalent economic imperatives. This role is targeted at the building pathology aspects of historic buildings.
The historic building conservation programmes include our unique two-year foundation degree which blends vocational and academic learning and can lead to the one-year top-up BSc (Honours) degree. Additionally, we provide a non-cognate masters’ programme which is accredited by the RICS and IHBC, as is the bachelors’ degree. These programmes consider practical and theoretical aspects of how existing buildings and their environments are cared for, maintained, managed, renewed and are explored holistically for effective application by future professionals.
The person
We are looking for someone who understands and has practise of working with building fabric, its process of decay and the how-and-why of methods of repair and conservation. If you are someone who is fascinated by the physical historic environment and has an in-depth experience of building pathology that you wish to convey with enthusiasm to our students, this post is for you. This expertise should be a core part of the application.
We are seeking a rounded candidate who is capable of talking about historic building fabric technically and culturally. With an innate ability to work in empathy with the students, the candidate will be guiding rather than instructing them through their observations, investigations, and analysis, is vital. You should be as comfortable teaching in a studio, classroom, workshop, lecture theatre or site visit and capable of working with a pencil in hand as you assist students develop their work.
We are looking for an individual who has proficient understanding of the characteristics and material properties of historic building construction; a detailed knowledge of the causes of decay and the diagnosis of defects; a working knowledge of investigative and monitoring methods together with emerging techniques in conservation and their practical implications; comprehension of the philosophical options impacting on approaches to repair and the possibilities of carbon reduction applicable to existing building fabric; and how to offer appropriate professional advice on these matters. We are happy for building surveyors and building conservation specialists with this knowledge, experience and specific interest in the historic environment to apply.
You will be able to bring a unique skillset encompassing critical engagement and reasoning that will allow you to embed knowledge of building pathology to your teaching delivery and to:
- champion and lead the area of building pathology at undergraduate and postgraduate level
- conduct research with potential for national impact
- undertake management and administrative duties including pastoral care of a diverse range of students commensurate with the role
- contribute to the provision of high-quality teaching in historic building conservation, research, enterprise and/or professional activity, as a member of a teaching team and in collaboration with other academics across faculties and consultants, to the benefit of a diverse range of students and colleagues
- coordinate and contribute to the marking, assessment and feedback of the course requirements, and ensure that the criteria for assessment for RICS and IHBC accreditation are met
- develop teaching to support the development of professional practice competencies at undergraduate and postgraduate level
The faculty
Kingston School of Art (KSA) has a strong heritage. Since its origins in the late 19th century, it has established an exceptional reputation and become one of the UK’s leading art and design educational institutions. The faculty combines a dedication to creative risk-taking, innovation and experimentation with a commitment to working with numerous local, national and global partners and collaborators to lead and shape the future of the creative and cultural industries.
As an art school within a university, KSA fuses the benefits of an art and design-focused identity with the ability to be at the forefront of exciting cross-disciplinary developments in diverse areas such as health, business, engineering and the humanities and social sciences. Ranked in the top five per cent of the world for art and design education by QS top universities, KSA produces globally celebrated alumni, high performing courses, impactful research performance and regularly achieves industry and student awards while engaging with the latest thinking from industry practitioners.
The faculty works with leading brands and institutions forging exciting partnerships with organisations like the ICA, the Design Museum and the BFI. More recently, the faculty has expanded its international presence through partnerships with the Indian Institute of Art and Design and the Pratt Institute in Brooklyn, America. With a wide variety of disciplines taught within the faculty, KSA offers opportunities for cross-disciplinary collaboration in research and teaching – providing both exceptional choice for students and a stimulating environment for academics in the creative fields.
Further information
This is a part-time (14.8 hours per week), permanent role with a starting salary of £17,274.80 (40 per cent to £43,187) per annum.
Interviews are expected to take place on Tuesday 31 October 2023.
For informal enquiries, please contact Heba Elsharkawy, head of Department of Architecture and Landscape.
Bring your true self, expertise and passion to Kingston where we are continuing to strive to build a university where authentic inclusion and belonging is at its heart. Every one of our staff and students’ identities, backgrounds and diverse experiences makes us who we are – so harness and embrace yours by applying today. We welcome applications from black, Asian and minority ethnic backgrounds, LGBTQ+ communities and those with disabilities.
Candidates must be able to demonstrate their eligibility to work in the UK in accordance with the Immigration, Asylum and Nationality Act 2006. Where required, this may include entry clearance or continued leave to remain under the Points Based Immigration Scheme.
Click on this link to apply. If, for accessibility reasons, you need to apply in an alternative format, please email us or call the HR shared services team on 020 8417 3118.
