Towards a more creative society
Creativity is at the heart of all we do at Goldsmiths: in the students who come to learn here and the ways we teach them; in our research agendas and practice; and in how we… View Full Post
Genuinely novel: 10 years of the Goldsmiths Prize
The Goldsmiths Prize is now in its tenth year, and on the occasion of the awards ceremony last week, I was prompted to reflect on the Prize itself, and what it represents. The Goldsmiths Prize… View Full Post
Seeking answers to today’s big questions
The start of a new academic year has always brought the anticipation of the new as well as some familiar rhythms: it is a moment of renewal and reassurance. After the last few years it… View Full Post
Exploring a long term plan for education
Earlier this month I attended a roundtable event on long-term education organised by Universities UK (UUK) and the Foundation for Education Development (FED). The FED are doing important work to develop a policy framework for… View Full Post
Lewisham is London Borough of Culture
Today, Friday 28 January, sees the long-awaited start of Lewisham’s year as London Borough of Culture. There will be celebrations across the borough, from music to drama and dance performances – giving a flavour of… View Full Post
On the level: what Civic Engagement must now do for London
This post first appeared on the HEPI blog on Friday 15 October 2021. London is in the firing line these days. At the Conservative Party Conference in October, the Prime Minister stated the Government will… View Full Post
Inspire Lewisham
Last month saw the announcement of an exciting project to support young people into employment in Lewisham. Inspire Lewisham is a two-year collaboration between Goldsmiths, the Albany, Lewisham College and Do It Now Now. The project will work with unemployed young… View Full Post
Goldsmiths degree shows 2021
The creativity of our student community has shone through in another year of outstanding Degree Shows at Goldsmiths. With the reduced restrictions this summer, many of our students have been able to share their final… View Full Post
For London to truly tackle climate change, we can’t forget our universities
This blog post was first published on the HEPI blog on Friday 2 July 2021. In the run up to November’s postponed COP26, the conversation around climate change is gaining pace. This week sees the… View Full Post
The business world needs the arts and humanities
Amid government talk of ‘low value’ university courses, you could be forgiven for thinking our economy doesn’t need the arts and humanities. Degrees including performing arts and media studies face a potential 50% reduction in… View Full Post
Rita Keegan: The Hands Series
I wanted to share this thought-provoking piece of work by Black American artist Rita Keegan – the third piece from the Women’s Art Library to be installed on our campus at Goldsmiths. Born in the… View Full Post
Thinking local and global on Earth Day
Today is Earth Day, the annual event uniting people and leaders across the world to take action to protect our planet. This year’s ‘Restore our Earth’ theme will focus on the innovative thinking needed to… View Full Post
Goldsmiths students making a difference
I recently had the pleasure of hearing from four inspirational women who have studied at Goldsmiths. Each has been supported by the College’s long-running partnership with Santander Universities, which has provided £750,000 of funding to… View Full Post
Universities and the climate emergency
This week I was delighted to speak at important event organised by Universities UK (UUK) on the role of universities in tackling the climate emergency. I was part of a panel exploring how universities can… View Full Post
Context amid crisis: Why human perspectives matter more than ever
This post was first published on the HEPI Blog on Monday 7 December 2020. I have always firmly believed that responding to society’s most complex challenges requires a rounded, multidisciplinary approach. Science and technology will… View Full Post
World Homeless Day: Two inspirational charities
Ahead of tomorrow’s World Homeless Day, I wanted to take this opportunity to celebrate two charities who are providing vital support to people impacted by homelessness. Centrepoint – helping homeless young people get back on… View Full Post
The true value of creative degrees
The gulf between what creative graduates contribute to our economy and what they are perceived to contribute is a damaging misconception that undermines not only the education industry, but also society at large. It has… View Full Post
Institute of Positive Fashion
I wanted to take this opportunity to share a new resource from the Institute of Positive Fashion. Set up in September 2019 by the British Fashion Council, the Institute of Positive Fashion (IPF) aims to… View Full Post
Sustainable Enterprise Festival
This week sees the final few days of the Sustainable Enterprise Festival, a great online event curated by my colleagues Siân Prime and Adrian De La Court in the Goldsmiths Institute for Creative and Cultural… View Full Post
The Wonkhe Show
I was delighted to be a guest last week on the end of term recording of the Wonkhe show – the excellent podcast dedicated to all things higher education. Joined by fellow guests Alex Favier,… View Full Post
A green recovery for Goldsmiths and Lewisham
This week was an important one for our work at Goldsmiths to tackle the climate emergency, as we published our action plan to get Goldsmiths to carbon neutral. A student and staff campaign last year… View Full Post
Goldsmiths degree shows go online
I’ve been so impressed by the ways Goldsmiths students have responded to the challenges brought about by Covid-19. The past few months have seen an end to face-to-face teaching and the cancellation of final year… View Full Post
Welcoming refugees in hostile times
Last week I was delighted to welcome guests to the first meeting of Localities of Welcoming, a new project connecting people across Europe who are involved in refugee welcoming and support. Below is a guest… View Full Post
Reasons for hope on World Environment Day
Last month London Mayor Sadiq Khan announced plans to close main streets in central London to cars and vans to make cycling and walking safer in the capital, maintaining the quieter roads we’ve seen during… View Full Post
A local community response to Covid-19
I’ve been moved to see how people are coming together to support others during this pandemic. There are some really important initiatives happening in Goldsmiths’ home borough of Lewisham. Goldsmiths partners including Lewisham Local and… View Full Post
Supporting key workers
Today, 1 May, is International Workers Day. As many of us will be, I’m thinking about the thousands of people across the country who are key workers – risking their own safety on the front lines of the Covid-19 crisis every day. Earlier… View Full Post
Culture at home
I’ve been struck by the creative ways people and organisations are bringing us art and culture in the ongoing lockdown. Goldsmiths’ local education partners are sharing some great online resources. The Horniman Museum has been… View Full Post
The Goldsmiths community – thank you
These really are unprecedented times for us all, personally, professionally and for our community. As Goldsmiths Professor Tim Crook highlighted in a recent blog post, the Goldsmiths campus hasn’t been this empty since the outbreak… View Full Post
Women in universities
Today, 8th March, is International Women’s Day. It’s a date that has always stood out for me in the calendar as a chance not just to celebrate the achievements of women and their contribution to… View Full Post