School of Design and Media - Product Design Lecturer

Lecturer – Product Design

Main Duties and Responsibilities

Teaching, Learning and Assessment

Develop, prepare, and deliver high-quality teaching, learning, and assessment activities across undergraduate and postgraduate programmes.

Undertake module leadership responsibilities, including planning, coordination, delivery, and evaluation of Product Design modules.

Design and deliver engaging lectures, seminars, workshops, studio sessions, and practical learning experiences that foster creativity, innovation, problem-solving, and professional design practice.

Deliver teaching across Product Design disciplines, including product development, design thinking, user-centred design, sustainable design, materials and manufacturing processes, prototyping, design for manufacture, and emerging design technologies.

Utilize a variety of teaching methods, digital learning technologies, and assessment strategies to enhance student engagement and achievement.

Grade coursework, design projects, presentations, portfolios, and practical assessments, providing timely and constructive feedback.

Ensure teaching is informed by current research, professional practice, and developments within the product design industry.

Curriculum Development and Student Experience

Contribute to the design, review, and enhancement of curriculum content to ensure academic quality, industry relevance, and alignment with contemporary Product Design practices.

Lead the development and continuous improvement of Product Design modules.

Act as a personal tutor and provide academic guidance and pastoral support to students.

Mentor students in developing creative, technical, and professional skills through studio-based and project-based learning.

Support students in developing professional portfolios and preparing for careers within product design and related creative industries.

Organize educational field trips, industry visits, exhibitions, design competitions, and guest lectures to enrich the student learning experience.

Coordinate the annual end-of-year exhibition, showcasing student work and engaging with industry partners and the wider community.

Contribute to student recruitment, retention, employability initiatives, competitions, and industry-facing projects.

Academic Quality and Professional Practice

Engage actively in quality assurance, quality enhancement, and continuous improvement activities.

Reflect critically on teaching practice and implement improvements based on student feedback, peer review, and emerging pedagogical approaches.

Maintain subject expertise through continuous professional development and engagement with current Product Design trends, technologies, and professional practice.

Demonstrate proficiency in industry-standard design software and digital fabrication technologies, including Rhino, Fusion 360, KeyShot, Adobe Creative Suite, CAD/CAM workflows, 3D printing, laser cutting, CNC technologies, and rapid prototyping tools.

Research, Scholarship and Enterprise

Contribute to the University's research and enterprise agenda through scholarly activity and/or practice-based research.

Produce and disseminate research and professional outputs through publications, exhibitions, conferences, workshops, presentations, and industry events.

Participate in collaborative research projects, consultancy activities, and knowledge-exchange initiatives.

Contribute to grant applications, funding proposals, and enterprise activities where appropriate.

Develop national and international research collaborations and industry partnerships.

Participate in and develop extracurricular activities to enhance student learning and experience.

Industry Engagement and Partnerships

Develop and maintain strong relationships with design consultancies, manufacturers, innovation hubs, professional bodies, and external organizations.

Foster opportunities for live projects, internships, collaborative research, guest speakers, and knowledge exchange.

Promote student engagement with industry through exhibitions, competitions, networking events, and professional practice initiatives.

Support initiatives that enhance graduate employability and strengthen links between academia and industry.

Leadership and Collaboration

Work collaboratively with colleagues across the School and University.

Contribute to academic administration, committees, curriculum development initiatives, and School activities.

Provide module leadership and support colleagues in maintaining high standards of teaching and learning.

Contribute positively to the academic community through collaboration, mentoring, and sharing of best practice.

Additional Duties

Undertake any other duties commensurate with the grade, responsibilities, and purpose of the role as reasonably required by the University.

Participate in and develop extracurricular activities to enhance student learning and experience.