Celebrating My UCL Nomination for Academic Excellence as NSEAD President

This week, I received an incredible honour: I was nominated by University College London (UCL) for a university academic excellence award. This recognition came as a result of my work as President of the National Society for Education in Art and Design (NSEAD). I want to share this milestone with fellow art & design educators and reflect on what this award means for our community and the future of art and design education.

What the UCL Academic Excellence Award Means

Being nominated for a university academic excellence award is more than just a personal achievement. It highlights the importance of leadership and dedication in the field of art and design education. This award recognizes individuals who have made significant contributions to academic life, research, and community engagement within their university and beyond.

For me, this nomination reflects the collective effort of the NSEAD community. As the 38th

President, I have worked closely with educators, students, and institutions to promote high standards in art and design education. The award acknowledges the impact of our shared commitment to nurturing creativity, cultural understanding and critical thinking in schools and universities.

My Role as NSEAD President and Its Impact

Leading the NSEAD has been a rewarding challenge. The organization supports thousands of art educators across the UK, providing resources, professional development, and advocacy. Here are some key initiatives I have focused on during my presidency that contributed to this nomination:

• Strengthening Professional Development: We launched the Big Landscape, Oak and online courses tailored to the evolving needs of art teachers, helping them stay current with teaching methods and curriculum changes.

• Promoting Equity in Art Education: We worked to ensure that all students, have access to quality art education. This included outreach regional programs, and partnerships with schools and cultural institutions across the UK. We support teachers via Anti-Racsit Art Educaiton Action Resouces and United Black Artist Educators.

• Advocating for Art Education Policy: I represented the NSEAD in discussions with government bodies to secure change and support for art and design subjects in schools.

• Building a Supportive Community: We expanded our regional network to connect educators, share best practices, and celebrate achievements in art and design education, in the UK and Europe.

  
  

These efforts have strengthened the role of art and design education in the academic landscape and helped raise its profile within the university sector and beyond.

Why Recognition Matters for Art & Design Educators

Art & Design educators often face challenges such as limited resources, undervaluation of their subject, and pressure to focus on core academic subjects. Recognition through awards like the university academic excellence award helps change this narrative by:

• Validating the Importance of Art & Design Education: It shows that leadership and innovation in art & design teaching are valued at the highest academic levels.

• Inspiring Educators: Awards motivate teachers to continue developing their skills and advocating for their students.

• Raising Awareness: Highlighting achievements in art & design education encourages schools and policymakers to invest more in creative subjects.

  
  

For those of us dedicated to nurturing creativity, this nomination is a reminder that our work matters and can have a lasting impact.

Looking Ahead: Continuing to Support Art & Design Education

Receiving this nomination motivates me to keep pushing for progress in art & design education. Here are some goals I am focusing on for the near future:

• Expanding access to professional development opportunities for art & design educators nationwide.

• Strengthening partnerships between universities, cultural institutions and schools to create seamless pathways for students interested in art and design careers.

• Increasing public awareness of the value of art & design education through events, publications, and collaborations.

• Supporting research that demonstrates the positive effects of art & design education on student outcomes.

  
  

I encourage all art & design educators to stay engaged, share their successes, and advocate for the creative subjects that enrich our schools and communities.

Final Thoughts

Being nominated by UCL for a university academic excellence award as NSEAD President is a proud moment that reflects the hard work and passion of many art & design educators. This recognition highlights the vital role art & design education plays in developing contemporary creative, critcal and confident learners.