Associate Lecturer – Digital Direction (0.119FTE, Fixed term)

Royal College of Art – Associate Lecturer, Digital Direction (0.119 FTE, Fixed Term)

Responsible to: Head of Programme

The Royal College of Art (RCA), the world’s leading art and design university, is seeking an Associate Lecturer to join its Digital Direction programme. Ranked number one globally for eleven consecutive years (QS World University Rankings by Subject 2025), the RCA is the world’s largest postgraduate art and design community, nurturing the creative leaders of tomorrow.

About the RCA

Founded in 1837, the RCA combines a rich history with a research-led, interdisciplinary approach to education. Home to over 2,800 students across four schools, the College thrives on a culture of curiosity, inclusion, collaboration, and integrity. With a global network of alumni, world-leading research centres, and cutting-edge facilities, the RCA is committed to shaping the future of art, design, and creative technology.

About Digital Direction

Digital Direction explores the future of storytelling through emerging technologies such as VR, AR, and mobile platforms. The programme encourages critical, creative, and socially conscious approaches to narrative practice. Students come from diverse creative backgrounds—including arts, journalism, music, theatre, and writing—collaborating across disciplines to experiment with new storytelling methods that address ethical, environmental, and social imperatives.

This year, the programme features the RCA x Snap Spectacles project, a unique opportunity for students to design, prototype, and present original augmented reality experiences using Snap’s unreleased Spectacles. This project combines lectures, workshops, and hands-on collaboration in multidisciplinary teams, culminating in a public exhibition.

The Role

As an Associate Lecturer, you will contribute high-quality teaching, tuition, and administration to enhance the RCA x Snap Spectacles programme. You will champion meaningful and socially conscious applications of AR and XR technologies, supporting students to explore real-world issues through emerging technologies.

Responsibilities include:

• Delivering high-quality teaching and guidance in AR/XR design and development.
• Supporting students with one-to-one and group tutorials, offering feedback and guidance.
• Collaborating with programme teams to deliver interdisciplinary learning.
• Contributing to curriculum design, assessments, and cross-school initiatives.Keeping abreast of innovation and professional practice in XR technologies.
• Participating in field trips, risk assessments, and school-wide planning activities.

Person Specification

Essential:

• First degree in Extended Reality or a related discipline.
• Experience of teaching, tutoring, or mentoring students individually and in groups.
• Knowledge of AR/XR industry contexts and emerging technologies.
• Commitment to socially conscious, high-quality teaching and student development.
• Ability to work harmoniously with students from diverse backgrounds.

Desirable:

• Master’s degree in a relevant XR or related field.
• Experience supervising academic work at Master’s level.
• Proven ability to design and deliver postgraduate courses.

Join the RCA and contribute to a dynamic, innovative, and world-renowned creative environment, inspiring the next generation of storytellers and digital innovators.

For more information on the role please see the Information Pack.  

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