Tutor (Research) Contemporary Art Practice (0.5FTE, permanent post) at Royal College of Art

The Royal College of Art (RCA) is the world’s leading university of art and design, dedicated to advancing education, research and knowledge exchange in the creative and cultural industries. We are seeking an outstanding practitioner and researcher in Contemporary Art Practice (CAP) to join the School of Arts & Humanities as a Tutor (Research). This is an exciting opportunity to contribute to a globally influential programme at the forefront of critical art practice, research and pedagogy.

About the School of Arts & Humanities

The School provides transformative learning experiences across postgraduate degrees from MA to PhD, integrating studio-based practices with innovative approaches in the humanities, fine and applied arts. We foster a culture of intellectual curiosity, critical debate and peer-to-peer learning within a vibrant community of researchers and practitioners. Students collaborate across the RCA and with London’s leading cultural institutions, developing work that responds to contemporary social, cultural and ethical dynamics. Graduates go on to shape creative practice, cultural institutions and critical discourse worldwide.

About Contemporary Art Practice

CAP is internationally recognised as the leading postgraduate fine art course, known for its post-medium, critically engaged approach. It offers three pathways—Critical Practice, Moving Image, and Public Sphere—where students work across installation, film, performance, publications, sound, VR, writing and techno-aesthetics.

Students address pressing global questions concerning the environment, politics, culture and society. Many expand the role of the artist as activists, publishers, educators, urban researchers and community organisers. The programme provides a discursive and experimental environment of tutorials, crits, seminars and lectures, encouraging students to situate their practice within the wider contemporary world.

The Role

We are seeking a dynamic academic with a strong research profile and enthusiasm for teaching to contribute to the development of CAP and the wider School. You will:

• Deliver research-led teaching through lectures, workshops, seminars and crits.
• Provide academic and pastoral support, including tutorials and feedback on student work.
• Contribute to curriculum design and develop innovative teaching and assessment approaches.
• Support exhibitions, events and field trips.
• Supervise postgraduate academic work at Master’s and doctoral levels.
• Produce high-quality research outputs (at least 3* REF standard) and contribute to the School’s research culture.
• Pursue funding opportunities and collaborate on research and knowledge exchange projects.
• Engage in recruitment, external partnerships and industry collaborations to promote the RCA and its students.

About You

The successful candidate will demonstrate:

• A strong commitment to high-quality teaching and inclusive learning environments.
• Experience in devising, teaching and assessing courses at postgraduate level.
• Evidence of ability, or clear potential, to produce research outputs of at least 3* REF quality.
• The capacity to supervise academic work at Master’s and/or doctoral level.
• A commitment to equality of opportunity and to working collaboratively with diverse communities.

A first degree in a relevant field is essential. A doctorate or equivalent professional/artistic achievement is desirable. If supervising research students, you should already have, or be willing to complete, research supervision training within two years of appointment.

Join Us

This is an opportunity to shape the future of contemporary art practice within one of the world’s most influential postgraduate environments. If you are an artist, academic and researcher who thrives on collaboration, critical debate and working with emerging practitioners, we would be delighted to hear from you.