UCA appoints new Director to
School of Art, Crafts and Photography
UCA is delighted to welcome Professor Hedley Roberts as the new Director of the School of Fine Art, Crafts and Photography.
27 May 2022
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Hedley joins us with a wealth of experience in management and leadership in Higher Education, having previously been the Head of Art & Design at the University of East London and the Head of School of Art & Design at Bedfordshire University.
A highly successful artist, researcher and educational consultant, Hedley has a Doctorate in Fine Art from the University of East London. He has been a Royal College of Art Fine Art Fellow and a Stanley Picker Fellow at Kingston University. With over 25 years in Higher Education, he is passionate about supporting developing artists and runs a number of artists residency projects, including ‘Directional Forces’, which has taken place in the UK, Germany, Serbia, Greece and at the Venice Biennale Italy, with over 100 artists since 2011.
Hedley commented: “I think we are at a very interesting time in art and art education, and I feel privileged to have this opportunity be the new Head of Fine Art, Crafts and Photography and work with such a talented, committed team of passionate individuals, renowned academics, artists, and the wider creative community of UCA.
“UCA is a special institution that is uniquely placed locally, nationally, and globally to offer opportunity, improve lives, and support communities. As both an artist and educator, I believe in the power of art and creative education as a force for self-realisation, diversity and inclusivity that can inform, enlighten, and transform individuals and communities for the better.”
Hedley will start in his new role in June this year, taking over the leadership of the School’s courses in Farnham and Canterbury from Professor Terry Perk. Terry will continue to oversee the Illustration & Graphic Design courses currently in Farnham and Epsom, with the intention of announcing a Head of School for the new School of Communications shortly.
Hedley will be based on our Canterbury campus and is excited about supporting the School’s Programme Directors and course teams in launching our new undergraduate curriculum in September, with a particular focus on enabling students to develop in relation to the professional contexts of their disciplines.