UAL appoints Professor Kene Igweonu as Pro Vice-Chancellor & Head of London College of Communication

Professor Kene Igweonuhas been appointed University of the Arts London (UAL) Pro Vice-Chancellor & Head of London College of Communication. He will take up post in July 2022.

Kene is Academic Dean for the Faculty of Arts and Creative Industries and Professor of Performance & Creative Education at Middlesex University, where he has developed innovative partnerships with private and public sector organisations, enhancing student employability and enterprise across media, visual arts, performing arts, and design practices. He was previously the faculty’s Deputy Dean for Research & Knowledge Exchange and led the development of its REF2021 submission.

Professor Roni Brown, UAL Deputy Vice-Chancellor Education, said:

“Kene is a brilliant storyteller who will help London College of Communication to reach new audiences in new ways, working at the interface between education, practice, and research.”

Professor Kene Igweonu said:

“It is an honour to be appointed to lead the world-class creative institution that is London College of Communication. I am delighted to be taking on the role at an exciting time for the UAL community, with the launch of its ambitious new Strategy 2022-2032 – ‘The World Needs Creativity’, and as the College undertakes an unprecedented programme of change that will see it move into a new purpose-built campus in 2026. I am looking forward to joining LCC and working alongside a dynamic, inclusive, and future-facing community of creatives – staff, students, alumni – using our skills and knowledge of creative communications to impact the world and change society for the better.”

An interdisciplinary researcher and a champion for creative education, Kene comes to LCC with experience of senior academic leadership in immersive and interactive practices ranging from cinematics, animation, games design, and visual effects, to music business and production, and performance practice. He was Institutional Lead, in a previous role as Faculty Director of Knowledge Exchange and Enterprise at Canterbury Christ Church University, on a project grant from the European Regional Development Fund to create a network of editing and post-production specialists across the South East for research and innovation in the manipulation of screen-based images for television, film, gaming, advertising, and corporate communications.

An active researcher, Kene’s background is in international theatre and somatic practice. He retains an interest in storytelling, Black British theatre, theatre and performance in Africa and its diaspora, as well as the Feldenkrais Method in health, wellbeing and performance training. He is Principal Investigator for a British Academy project to support the development of researchers in design, visual arts and performing arts in Mauritius, South Africa and Nigeria.

Kene is Chair of the Standing Conference of University Drama Departments; President of the African Theatre Association; a Member of AHRC Peer Review College; and Council Member for Creative UK.