Knowledge Exchange Professor in Inclusive Design and Enterprise in London

At University of the Arts London, design is not only about shaping products, services or experiences — it is about shaping society. We are now seeking an internationally recognised leader in inclusive design and enterprise to join our School of Design at Chelsea and Camberwell Colleges of Art as Knowledge Exchange Professor. This is an exciting opportunity to drive ambitious, impact-led collaboration across industry, communities, government and the creative sector, while helping define the future of inclusive and socially engaged design practice within one of the world’s leading creative universities.

Working across research, enterprise and external partnerships, you will lead high-profile Knowledge Exchange activity that creates meaningful societal impact and strengthens the School’s reputation for innovation and collaboration. From securing major funding and developing strategic partnerships to shaping consultancy, enterprise and commercially focused initiatives, you will play a central role in connecting creative practice with real-world challenges and opportunities. Alongside leading your own externally facing work, you will help foster a thriving and inclusive Knowledge Exchange culture across the School of Design — mentoring staff, supporting emerging talent and enabling students, graduates and creative practitioners to develop impactful and sustainable careers.

We are looking for an established and internationally recognised leader in inclusive design, innovation, enterprise or Knowledge Exchange, with a strong track record of developing impactful partnerships and externally funded activity across higher education, industry or the creative sector. You will bring significant experience of securing funding, leading collaborative projects and building relationships across organisations, communities, government and commercial partners, alongside a deep understanding of how design can drive social, cultural and economic impact. You will combine strategic thinking with creativity, influence and an entrepreneurial mindset, and be confident leading ambitious initiatives, shaping new opportunities and inspiring others around a shared vision. Just as importantly, you will be a collaborative and inclusive leader who is passionate about mentoring emerging talent, strengthening interdisciplinary networks and helping shape a thriving culture of innovation, enterprise and socially engaged design.

University of the Arts London (UAL) generates and inspires the creativity the world needs for a better future. Since 1842, our colleges have been defining creative education. With curiosity, imagination and intent we make work which creates lasting change for people and our planet. London is core to who we are, a place where we meet and share ideas with people from different backgrounds and cultures. Our creative network influences learning, culture, industry and society on a global scale. Our academics and practitioners deliver creative education and inspire new ways of thinking through research and innovation. We work with students at every level from pre-degree and short courses to postgraduate and online learning, enabling them to build the careers they want. Together, we are a community of makers, thinkers, pioneers and storytellers redesigning the future.

As a University, we are ranked second in the world for Art and Design. We are formed of 6 Colleges with unique histories and identities: Camberwell College of Arts, Central Saint Martins, Chelsea College of Arts, London College of Communication, London College of Fashion and Wimbledon College of Arts. UAL also has 4 Institutes, 5 Research Centres, 1 Pre-Degree School and 2 subsidiary companies delivering specialist activities. We are a global University, welcoming over 22,000 students and 6,000 staff from 130 countries. We aim to be a university where people can be themselves and feel supported to reach their full potential. That’s why we are proud to hold a Bronze Award from the Race Equality Charter (REC), are members of the Business Disability Forum and Employers for Carers, and maintain our status as a Disability Confident Scheme and Living Wage employer.

We operate a fair and open anonymous selection process. Thus, you will need to create an account and submit an application through our job board. As part of this, you will need to provide a supporting statement/answer some competency questions to demonstrate your suitability. Our recruitment process involves: Application, Shortlisting, Interview and Assessment, Offer, Onboarding. We understand the benefits of using AI in work. But, if you are thinking of using it to submit an application, we ask you to think about what value it adds. AI tools tend to lack the personal touch and authenticity we value in candidates. We encourage you to showcase your unique knowledge and skills using your own voice. If we receive a high volume of applications, the closing day date might close early. We aim to communicate any changes to the closing date with at least 24 hours’ notice. If you have any general questions or have accessibility needs, please refer to our Contact us page. Candidates are advised to submit applications early.