Lecturer in Art Therapy

About The University

We have one simple promise – to make a positive impact. Through our ground-breaking research, teaching excellence and commitment to sustainable living, we are changing lives for the better.

The University of Derby is a modern university with a modern outlook. Everything we do is driven by delivering excellence and opportunities for our students, our staff and our region.

We have some of the best university facilities in the UK and achieve outstanding results for our teaching and research and have been awarded Gold in the prestigious Teaching Excellence Framework (TEF) 2023 – making it one of the top universities in the country recognised for its outstanding student experience and student outcomes.

Financially strong and seriously ambitious we offer our employees an inclusive culture that centres itself around staff wellbeing, where you can be confident you will receive all the help and encouragement you need to build a rewarding career with lots of opportunities to enhance your skills.

About The College/Department

At the heart of shaping future professionals and creative thinkers, the College of Health and Humanities brings together two dynamic and diverse schools:

School of Health and Social Care

Preparing the next generation of healthcare professionals and social care leaders through hands-on learning, expert teaching, and strong industry partnerships. Our courses are designed to meet the demands of real-world practice and improve the health and wellbeing of our communities.

The School is made up of a broad range of subjects, reflecting the diversity and complexity of modern health and social care settings.

• Adult Nursing
• Associate and Enhanced Healthcare Practice
• Midwifery, Children’s Nursing and Professional Practice
• Mental Health and Learning Disability Nursing
• Public Health and Social Care
• Diagnostics and Clinical Interventions
• Therapy and Rehabilitation

School of Humanities, Law and Creative Arts

Celebrating creativity, critical thinking, and cultural exploration. This school nurtures writers, performers, thinkers and artists, offering opportunities to grow intellectually and creatively across subjects like English, History, Creative Writing, Fine Art, and Media.

Together, the College of Health and Humanities delivers a rich, integrated approach to learning and professional development, our students are equipped with the knowledge, values, and skills to thrive in their chosen fields and make a lasting impact.

About The Team

The discipline of Therapy and Rehabilitation at the University of Derby champions the restoration of health, function, and wellbeing; empowering people to live life to the fullest.

Our wide-ranging expertise spans Occupational Therapy, Physiotherapy, Therapeutic Arts, and related rehabilitation professions. Through evidence-based teaching, interprofessional collaboration, and immersive clinical education, our students gain the skills to support recovery and enhance quality of life across a diverse range of populations and settings. Our programmes are enriched by research-informed practice, creative methodologies, and strong connections with health and care providers.

The Therapeutic Arts strand integrates the healing power of creative expression with clinical insight; an innovative area that continues to grow in impact and relevance.

About The Role

Please note on appointment the job title for this position will be Lecturer in Therapeutic Arts.

We are looking for a part-time Lecturer in Therapeutic Arts to join our team and play a key role in training the next generation of Arts Therapists. With a focus on graduate employability, you will contribute to all aspects of teaching and supporting students, preparing them to become practicing therapists in their chosen modality.

You will guide students through a journey rooted in taught theory, clinical experiences, group exploration, and self-understanding, helping them develop the professional and personal skills required to succeed in this rewarding field. This requires both a deep commitment to the student experience and a real understanding of the subtle differences between being a clinician and an educator.

As part of an established and supportive team, you’ll also take on specific responsibilities within programme development, such as placement co-ordination, while contributing to the growth of Arts Therapies as professions. You’ll engage in teaching, research, and clinical practice, ensuring our students benefit from an education that is research-led, practice-informed, and forward-looking.

This is an exciting opportunity to shape the field through pedagogy, research, and clinical expertise, while supporting students to realise their potential and succeed in impactful careers.

This role is a 0.8 FTE, 2 year fixed term contract

The anticipated interview date is Thursday 6th November.

About You

We are seeking a highly motivated Art Therapist to join our team. To be successful you will hold an MA in Art Therapy and be HCPC registered as a practicing Art Therapist. You will bring proven clinical experience, a strong commitment to student development, and the ability to share your expertise in ways that inspire and engage learners. Experience or knowledge of working in higher education is essential, along with the flexibility to use a range of innovative delivery techniques to create meaningful and impactful learning experiences.

Principal accountabilities

Learning / Teaching

• Effectively teach and facilitate learning on a range of subjects / modules within the subject area on undergraduate, postgraduate, professional and post-experience programmes.
• Ensure that knowledge from research and scholarly activities informs and enhances learning and teaching, as well as extending it to appropriate external activities such as knowledge transfer activities.
• Ensure that module / programme design and delivery comply with the quality standards and regulations of the University.
• Participate effectively in the assessment process, including the setting, marking and moderation of student work, providing constructive feedback and ensuring it is in accordance with quality assurance procedures.
• Participate in the continuing review and development of module/programme delivery, incorporating innovative study modes, learning environments and pedagogic practices to engage and stimulate students, deliver effective learning outcomes and develop the skills and attributes of the ‘Derby Graduate’.
• Take on relevant module leader and/or programme leader responsibilities, including associated marketing, recruitment, delivery and ongoing programme development activities.

Research / Scholarship

• Engage in individual research and collaborate both internally and externally on research projects that are consistent with the College, and contribute to influencing leading edge practice in the University and contribution to the REF.
• Sustain and enhance the reputation of the University by publishing in appropriate quality journals and presenting at scholarly activities such as workshops, conferences and other similar events.
• Develop and maintain contacts and relationship with relevant professional, research and industrial organisations.
• Contribute to writing bids for externally funded research projects.

Other

• Act as a personal tutor, supporting and mentoring students as appropriate.
• Provide pastoral care to students, referring when necessary to services that provide further support.
• Support marketing and student recruitment activities as required.
• Develop external links in order, for example, to support student recruitment, secure student placements, facilitate outreach work, generate income or build relationships for future activities.
• Be responsible for administrative duties in areas such as admissions, timetabling, examinations and assessment of progress and student attendance.
• Contribute to effective cross College / University working.
• Observe and implement University policies and procedures.

Person specification

Essential Criteria

Qualifications

• Masters in Art Therapy
• Registration with the HCPC as an Art Therapist
• Fellowship of the Advanced HE (HEA) or willingness to work towards
• PhD (or submitted and awaiting examination) or equivalence accepted in a relevant subject area, for example by publication or through appropriate professional achievement or willingness to work towards within an agreed timeframe
• Subject specific qualifications / knowledge

Experience

• Experience of clinical work as an Art Therapist

Learning / Teaching

• Experience or knowledge of quality assurance and validation of HE modules / programmes
• Experience or knowledge of higher education and ability to use a range of delivery techniques to inspire and engage students

Research / Scholarship

• Demonstrable experience of own discipline to enable the development of new knowledge and understanding within the field
• Experience of research / enterprise activity
• Evidence of active publishing in high quality journals or other outputs in research or practice that will contribute to the REF or other areas identified in the College / University Research Strategy

Skills, Knowledge & Abilities

• An appropriate level of digital capability and aptitude with practical experience of applications which aid student learning
• Ability to communicate complex and conceptual ideas to a range of groups
• Proficient in using IT to support own work and for application to technology-enhanced learning / teaching and research activities
• Excellent written and oral communication skills including networking and relationship building skills, both across the University and externally
• Able to demonstrate both independent self-management and team working
• Able to work with competing priorities and to tight deadlines
• Demonstrates competences, core behaviours and supplementary behaviours that support and promote the University’s core values
• Demonstrates professionalism in learning / teaching and the values of the UK Professional Standards Framework for HE
• A sound understanding of the current higher education environment and its implications for the student learning experience
• A sound understanding of the employability agenda and its relevance to learners and the curriculum
• A sound understanding of internationalisation and its relevance for learners and the curriculum
• Flexible to the needs of others
• Innovative and creative
• Committed to continual enhancement and a high quality student experience
• Committed to a high-performance culture, fostering continuous improvement and driving quality
• An excellent working knowledge of the HCPC (Health and Care Professionals Council) Standard of Proficiency (SOPs) and Standards of Education and Training (SETs)

Business requirements

• Able to take a flexible approach to work
• Travel between sites and occasionally overseas for research or teaching
• Some evening and occasional weekend teaching
• Attendance at Open Days, Graduation events etc.
• A commitment to own professional development

Benefits

• Generous annual leave entitlement of 47 days inclusive of bank holidays and concessionary days (pro rata)
• Teacher’s Pension Scheme
• Suite of holistic wellbeing benefits and support including family-friendly policies, generous sick pay provision and comprehensive Employee Assistance Programme
• Access to a variety of staff discounts at high street retailers
• Discounted onsite gym
• Cycle to Work scheme
• A flexible working environment
• A commitment to personal and professional development

The University is committed to equity, diversity and inclusion and promotes inclusive practices across recruitment and employment. The University operates anonymised shortlisting as part of its commitment to reducing bias in the recruitment process.