Role Overview
This appointment is conceived as a strategic academic leadership role with primary responsibility for the intellectual, pedagogical, and programmatic leadership of the BA (Hons) Biophilic Design programme. It is not intended as a conventional teaching-only appointment, but as a critical hire to shape, lead, and advance one of the Academy’s distinctive undergraduate programmes at the intersection of design, ecology, wellbeing, and more-than-human futures.
The Programme Lead is expected to operate as a thought leader, curriculum steward, and practice-led innovator, providing vision and direction for the programme while ensuring academic excellence, relevance, and impact. The role carries ahigh degree of ownership and agency, requiring proactive leadership in curriculum development, industry engagement, research, and cross-disciplinary collaboration.
The appointee will be instrumental in positioning BA Biophilic Design as a leading programme in the region, aligned with emerging socio-ecological challenges, contemporary design practice, and global discourses on sustainability, wellbeing, and environmental intelligence.
Roles and Responsibilities
1. Programme Leadership& Academic Direction
· Provide academic and strategic leadership for the BA (Hons) Biophilic Design programme, including stewardship of its vision, identity, and long-term development
· Lead programme planning, review, and enhancement to ensure continued relevance to:
o Biophilic and more-than-human design
o Socio-ecological and environmental thinking
o Wellbeing, health, and regenerative futures
· Champion a distinctive programme direction that integrates critical theory, studio-based experimentation, and real-world interventions
· Ensure coherence and progression across modules, learning outcomes, assessment frameworks, and graduate attributes
· Represent the programme internally and externally, contributing to School-level and institutional initiatives and planning
2. Teaching & Curriculum Delivery
· Take responsibility for the design, delivery, and assessment of undergraduate modules within the BA programme, including studio, seminar, and research-based learning
· Deliver approximately 20 contact hours per week, demonstrating strong pedagogical competence and leadership in studio teaching
· Facilitate practice-led, project-based learning grounded in Context–Concept–Craft approaches
· Guide students in design research, conceptual development, material experimentation, and spatial or systems-based design outcomes
· Monitor and support students’ learning progress, performance, attendance, and academic development
· Provide academic advising, career guidance, and pastoral care, with strong empathy for student wellbeing
3. Curriculum Development& Quality Assurance
· Lead and contribute to curriculum development, validation, and review processes in alignment with institutional frameworks and external benchmarks
· Develop and update teaching materials that reflect:
o Emerging developments in biophilic design and environmental practice
o Socio-ecological and interdisciplinary perspectives
o Regional and Southeast Asian contexts
· Contribute to programme documentation, quality assurance, and accreditation-related requirements
· Maintain accurate academic records relating to student performance and progression
4. Research, Practice & Thought Leadership
· Maintain an active profile as an interdisciplinary designer-academic with a track record of:
o Practice-based research
o Scholarly publications and/or creative outputs
o Impactful professional practice
· Advance research and practice in areas such as:
o Biophilic design and environmental wellbeing
o More-than-human and socio-ecological design
o Spatial practices for health, community, and ecological resilience
· Contribute to building a strong research culture within the programme, school and the Academy through mentorship, collaboration, and knowledge exchange
· Align research and practice activities with national, regional, and international priorities where appropriate
5. Industry, Partnerships& External Engagement
· Establish and sustain strong industry, institutional, and community partnerships relevant to biophilic design and allied fields
· Initiate and support:
o Live projects and industry briefs
o Collaborative research and applied design initiatives
o Exhibitions, field studies, workshops, and public programmes
· Organise and curate guest lectures, seminars, conferences, exhibitions, and academic events that enhance programme visibility and learning outcomes
· Build regional and international networks that strengthen the programme’s reputation and impact
6. Planning, Administration & Service
· Provide effective academic administration and coordination for the programme, ensuring clear communication and operational efficiency
· Contribute constructively to School, institutional and university committees, working groups, and academic initiatives
· Support cross-programme and cross-School collaborations that advance interdisciplinary learning and research
· Uphold institutional values, policies, and commitments to sustainability, wellbeing, equality, diversity, and inclusion
Requirements
The ideal candidate should possess:
· A PhD in Architecture, Landscape Architecture, Urban Design, Environmental Design, or a closely related field
· A strong record of professional practice and/or research relevant to biophilic and socio-ecological design
· At least 10 years of academic and/or industry experience, including university-level teaching
· Demonstrated ability to work across disciplines and to lead collaborative initiatives
· A clear interest in, or portfolio engagement with, Southeast Asian and regional contexts
· Proven commitment to innovative pedagogy, student-centred learning, and inclusive education
· Excellent communication skills in English
· A positive, inspiring, and collegial approach to leadership, teaching, and collaboration
Applicants should submit a full CV and a statement of teaching, leadership, and research/practice interests.
