New Research Degrees Training Programme

It’s my second week at The Glasgow School of Art and I am already feeling the pressure. Devising this new raining programme is truly a challenge. The one I used to deliver at Wimbledon was mainly devised by M and my role was a tweaking one. I am not alone as N, the Head of Research and Postgraduate Studies, is very experienced and knows what he would like the School to offer.

I feel, however, the lack of having done a PhD. I know I am expected and can count on more experienced staff that can deliver certain sessions I am not so comfortable with like interview techniques (cf. ‘constructive alignment’) but I am still daunted by the prospect of running the training programme. I really want to rise to the expectations. Daunted doesn’t mean I am not excited. I know I can do it. But I also know I will lean a lot in the process. And I don’t mean only about teaching or pedagogy but about my subject (and other subject areas, as I will be teaching Art, Design and Architecture students).

I have an interview at Sheffield Hallam University on the 5th September and this time, it feels far more positive than Chelsea or Central Saint Martins. I know, however, that I will have to get my PhD quietly and talk about ‘my research’ (as I am teaching PhD students and some people at GSA didn’t fully understand my appointment). I am also putting in a few papers on seduction (my PhD subject) for conferences in 2006, something I have never done before. I am really excited about the year ahead. I know it’s going to be, if anything, challenging.