The Role

Kingston University is passionate about the power of a university education to transform lives. We strive for our staff and students to be sought-after for their academic achievements and their ability to shape society and contribute to the economy. We are an inclusive university, and our ambitious Town House Strategy drives our mission to enhance students’ life chances, support the ambitions of staff and strengthen the university’s impact on our locality, industry, policy and associated professions to enable a sustainable future - socially, economically and environmentally. With an overall Gold Teaching Excellence Framework (TEF) rating, we are recognised for our commitment to high quality teaching, providing an outstanding student experience and supporting our students to achieve successful degree outcomes.

The Faculty of Engineering, Computing & the Environment (ECE) is seeking to appoint a new Head of the Department of Networks and Digital Media (NDM). Sitting in the School of Computer Science and Mathematics, with great links to Industry, the NDM department has an excellent infrastructure and a dynamic portfolio that includes Cyber Security and Creative Computing. The University’s Town House Strategy has set an ambitious growth target in terms of student recruitment for the next three academic years. The Faculty of ECE and this department is well positioned to contribute effectively to this target. Games, graphics and media industries are important growth industries, rapidly advancing with developments in processor power, storage, communications technology, digital compression and software. We therefore look forward to hearing from individuals, with a successful track record of student recruitment within the higher Education Sector and in particular the Networks and Digital Media disciplines. This is an exciting opportunity for an experienced and ambitious academic, with UK Higher Education academic experience to lead this department where innovation and enterprise is key.

The Person

Candidates should have strong management experience within the Higher Education sector in the UK, and a distinguished academic profile with relevance to the disciplines highlighted above. This means understanding the trends and expectations of students, employers and industry alike. You will have an appetite for innovation and the ability to stimulate and encourage staff in an effective and productive way. As Head of Department, you will have the ability to contribute to the faculty’s goals and objectives within the context of our values highlighted in the University’s Town House strategy (Innovative, Inclusive, Ambitious, and Enterprising).

You will have a real-world understanding of the issues at play in subjects relevant to this post, so as to ensure there are update to date portfolio of courses and expertise to support delivering the highest standard of education to students as well as encouraging collaboration and partnership with industry. The post sits within the School of Computer Science and Mathematics thus offering opportunities for inter-disciplinary work, and it is expected that the appointee will embrace this. UK higher education academic experience is essential.

The Faculty

There are few faculties across the UK university landscape as varied in their scope as the Faculty of Engineering, Computing & the Environment (ECE). We teach and research across a wide range of subjects, allowing for real cross-discipline innovation and creativity. Our lecturers are experts – working at the forefront of their fields and actively engaged in research so they can bring advanced knowledge to their teaching. Our state-of-the-art facilities include specialist laboratories, a public outreach centre, a specialist virtual reality centre, a rocket lab, flight simulators, renewable energy lab, and 3 new labs related to electric, electronic and robotics, as well as an advanced design studio. For future scientists and engineers, this combines to create the ultimate real-life space for practical learning. For academic professionals, this all adds up to a truly vibrant, exciting environment in one of the largest and most diverse STEM faculties in the sector.

School of Computer Science and Mathematics

The School of Computer Science and Mathematics is driven by the philosophy of 'learning through making'; we focus strongly on hands-on experience, student-led and owned product portfolios and producing industry-ready graduates.

We use a range of innovative teaching and learning approaches in our invigorated and modernised degree programmes. We combine studio practices, project-based learning and context-driven lectures to facilitate an informed approach to problem solving.