University College Falmouth appoints new Rector

Currently Deputy Vice Chancellor (Academic) of the University of Wales, Newport, Professor Carlisle is also a practising artist, a prolific writer and broadcaster, and an award-winning academic, whose background is firmly established in the visual arts and creative industries.

With a First Class Honours Degree in Fine Art from the University of Ulster and an MA in Fine Art from Chelsea College of Art, Professor Carlisle founded visual arts journal, CIRCA publications, before embarking upon an academic career.

Beginning as a lecturer at Gwent College of Higher Education in 1990, she became Head of the Department of Interactive Arts in 1995.  In 1997, Professor Carlisle was appointed Dean of the School of Art, Media & Design by the University of Wales, Newport, where she has since held a number of key strategic roles including Pro Vice Chancellor (Academic) in 2003 and Deputy Vice Chancellor (Academic) in 2006.

As Deputy Vice Chancellor, Professor Carlisle's remit has been to lead and deliver the University's strategic plans in respect of its academic portfolio and research and enterprise; to lead key strategy groups in partnership with industry and professional bodies; to lead the University's submission to RAE 2008 and for Research Degree Awarding Powers; to increase and diversify the University's various income streams; and to work in partnership with Newport City Council and the Welsh Assembly Government on regeneration schemes for the region.

"I am delighted to be joining Falmouth at this exciting time," said Professor Carlisle of her appointment.  "To be given the opportunity to lead the College through its next major phase of development, towards Arts University Cornwall, is a real privilege.  Building upon the international renown of University College Falmouth and Dartington College of Arts with whom it recently merged, this position provides an extremely rare opportunity in the UK to take forward an important, specialist institution that spans the visual as well as the performing arts," she added.  "This stimulating combination, allied to Falmouth's strong commitment to regional, national and international partnerships, will ensure that Arts University Cornwall makes an even greater contribution to the growth of the creative industries, and takes its rightful place as a major cultural force in the international arts arena."

"I am delighted that University College Falmouth has appointed someone of the calibre of Professor Carlisle to lead it through the next, important stage of its development - the realisation of Arts University Cornwall," said Chair of the Board of Governors, James Williams.  "Her qualifications, experience, expertise and leadership skills, equip her perfectly to further the excellent work undertaken by Professor Alan Livingston to fulfil the College's aspirations to become a global leader in higher education in the field of the creative arts."

"The College is in a very strong position to realise the next stage in its ambitious development plans - the achievement of Arts University Cornwall - and I am very pleased that the Board of Governors has appointed someone of Professor Carlisle's standing," concluded Professor Alan Livingston.  "I wish Professor Carlisle every success in securing a bright future for Falmouth and for generations of creative arts students to come."

Professor Carlisle will take up her new appointment on 1 September 2009.

Ends

Notes to editors

About University College Falmouth

University College Falmouth is a founding partner in the Combined Universities in Cornwall (CUC), a unique initiative to promote regional economic regeneration through Higher Education, funded mainly by the European Union, the South West Regional Development Agency, and the Higher Education Funding Council for England, with support from Cornwall County Council.

In April 2008, University College Falmouth merged with Dartington College of Arts to create a new institution focusing on the expansion of Falmouth's expertise in Art, Design and Media and Dartington's expertise in Choreography, Music, Theatre, Art and Writing.

The merger paves the way for a new specialist Arts University in Cornwall in 2012, creating a Higher Education institution unique to the South West.

About Professor Alan Livingston

During his 21-year tenure, Professor Alan Livingston CBE has transformed University College Falmouth into one of the most highly respected institutes for art, design, media and performance.  The College attracts students from across the globe and is renowned for the employability of its graduates in the creative industries.

His drive and determination to provide the people of Cornwall with a real alternative to leaving the county to study elsewhere helped to inspire the development of the Combined Universities in Cornwall initiative - a unique partnership of further and higher education providers in Cornwall that has resulted in a major expansion of higher education opportunities in the county.  In January 2006, Alan was awarded the CBE for his services to higher education in recognition of his achievements.

Under his leadership, the College has undergone a period of rapid development and expansion. Significant achievements include the acquisition of the Tremough Campus in Penryn in 1999, and its transformation into a world-class campus in collaboration with the University of Exeter and with significant funding from the European Union.

In 2004, the College was awarded the right to confer its own degrees and adopt the status of University College.  In April 2008, Alan facilitated the College's merger with Dartington College of Arts, whose students and staff will relocate to Falmouth in 2010 as part of an ambitious plan to create Arts University Cornwall in 2012.

Tweet