Academic Title

Distinguished Visiting Professor, Tsinghua University

Biography
Professor Naren Barfield is the Deputy Vice-Chancellor and Provost of the Royal College of Art (RCA), the world’s leading art and design institution (ranked first globally in the QS World University Rankings for Art and Design from 2015 to 2020). Professor Barfield has held numerous senior leadership roles in UK higher education, contributing significantly to strategic development, research support and leadership, knowledge exchange, innovation, and postgraduate research. He has taught design, art, and humanities courses both domestically and internationally. Since 2011, he has been instrumental in leading the RCA in areas such as postgraduate programs, student enrollment, research intensity and quality, industry partnerships, executive education, and internationalization.

In 2017, Professor Barfield became a member of the Research England Council (the national council overseeing UK universities), responsible for strategic decision-making on university engagement initiatives. Internationally, he serves as an advisor and reviewer for institutions, research councils, and academic bodies in mainland China, Hong Kong, Australia, and New Zealand, and has facilitated international collaborations with universities in China, Japan, Singapore, and the United States. He is a visiting professor at several international universities and successfully completed the Top Management Programme (TMP18) for senior leadership in 2018.

Key Experiences and Achievements

·The Royal College of Art ranked first globally in the QS World University Rankings for Art and Design from 2015 to 2020.

·Led the RCA’s academic, administrative, and admissions efforts during the COVID-19 pandemic, communicated national directives and advice, and provided personal recommendations to statutory bodies regarding the pandemic.

·Directed the RCA’s transition to flexible teaching methods, restructuring academic frameworks and credit systems to shift towards blended and online learning.

·As the lead author and senior responsible officer, successfully secured £60 million in research funding to establish the International AI Design Laboratory.

·Core member of the team that submitted the RCA’s business case to the UK Treasury, securing £54 million for the new Battersea Creative Campus (opened in 2021); core member of the RCA and Glasgow School of Art (GSA) project committees, securing over £100 million each for campus development and construction.

·Spearheaded the RCA’s internationalization strategy, establishing global partnerships, introducing and providing international master’s programs and executive education, and fostering international teaching collaborations.

·Involved in the negotiation and leadership of the RCA’s international campus, valued at over $22 million, and the preparation of projects in three regions outside the UK.

·The RCA is the most research-intensive art and design institution [Research Excellence Framework (REF) 2014].

·The RCA’s research environment and impact were rated 4-star (world-leading) and 3-star (internationally excellent), respectively (REF 2014).

·Compared to the Research Assessment Exercise (RAE) 2008, the RCA’s research performance (QxV) improved by 36% in REF 2014.

·Expanded the RCA’s academic program portfolio, including MA, MRes, MPhil, and PhD programs, research and knowledge exchange, IT, workshops, learning resources, and language and student support.

·Established new departments at the RCA to advance research, knowledge exchange, innovation, and postgraduate programs, and to strengthen interconnections: Director of Research and Innovation; Director of Knowledge Exchange; Director of Executive Education; Director of Research Development; Director of Research Programs.

·Between 2011 and 2017, postgraduate enrollment at the RCA doubled, and tuition income more than doubled.

·Competitive research income doubled between 2011 and 2017.

·Created new revenue streams in knowledge exchange and executive education, with executive education achieving and exceeding its 2021 target by 2017; engaged and collaborated with global industry partners such as Samsung, Huawei, Hyundai Kia, and Tata Consulting Services in knowledge exchange.

·From 2004 to 2011, led research and knowledge exchange initiatives at the Glasgow School of Art, achieving a 4-star (world-leading) rating in RAE 2008, with the highest proportion of top scores among Scottish institutions (25%).

·Active researcher. Published over 100 conference papers and journal articles internationally since 1991. Held over 90 solo and group exhibitions in the UK, Europe, the US, South Africa, Australia, China, and Japan since 1987, with works collected globally, including by the Victoria and Albert Museum, the British Museum, and institutions in the US, Japan, and China.

·Recognized strategic leader in art and design higher education, conducting research reviews and evaluations for institutions such as the Royal Society of New Zealand, the Hong Kong Research Grants Council, the University of Edinburgh, the University of Melbourne, the University of Auckland, the University of Salford, the University of Hull, the Hong Kong Polytechnic University, and Tongji University.

·Recognized for the quality of postgraduate training and support at the Glasgow School of Art (2005 and 2010) and Wimbledon College of Arts (2004) in three independent reviews by the UK Quality Assurance Agency for Higher Education (QAA).

·Successfully completed the Top Management Programme (TMP18) of the Leadership Foundation for Higher Education in 2018.

·Trained QAA subject expert reviewer and senior academic reviewer for the Enhancement-Led Institutional Review (ELIR) by the Scottish Higher Education Quality Assurance Agency.

Contributions to Higher Education, Research, and Knowledge Exchange (Selected):

·Strategic leadership in university engagement initiatives, Research England Council (2019–present).

·Member of the International Advisory Committee, Tongji University, Shanghai, China (2019–present).

·Panel member, Hong Kong University Grants Committee PhD Fellowship Scheme (2018–present).

·International peer reviewer, Austrian Science Council (2018–present).

·Member, Research England Council (2017–present).

·Advisor/Reviewer, Hong Kong Research Grants Council, Austrian Science Council, Royal Society of New Zealand.

·Member, Victoria and Albert Museum Research Institute (VARI) and Steering Committee (2017–present).

·International expert member, China New Administrative Capital Development Think Tank Team, School of City Design, Central Academy of Fine Arts, Beijing (2016–2017).

·Panel member, REF 2014: Art and Design: History, Practice, and Theory, Sub-panel 34 (2011–2014).

·Representative, HEFCE REF Focus Group: REF 2014: Art and Design: History, Practice, and Theory, Sub-panel 34 (2011–2012).

·Representative of the RCA on the Board of the UK Association of Art and Design Institutions (UKADIA); member of the Council for Higher Education in Art and Design (CHEAD), the European League of Institutes of the Arts (ELIA), and the Higher Education Academy (HEA).

·Member, Arts and Humanities Research Council (AHRC), Peer Review College, Panel 2: Visual Arts and Media (2005–2008).

·Member, AHRC Research Peer Review College (2009–2012).

·Member, AHRC Knowledge Exchange Peer Review College (2009–2012).

·Member, Knowledge Exchange Working Group, Universities Scotland (2010–2011).

·Member, International Benchmarking Postgraduate Student Experience Research Working Group, Scottish Higher Education Enhancement Committee (SHEEC) (2009–2011).

·Member, REF Management Group, Universities Scotland (2005–2011).

·Senior academic reviewer, Scottish Higher Education Quality Assurance Agency (2008–2011).

·Panel member, RAE 2008: Art and Design, Sub-panel 63.

·Member, Cultural Metrics Working Group, Universities Scotland (2005–2006).

·Member, Research and Knowledge Exchange Committee, Universities Scotland (2004–2011).

·Member, Research Network, Standing Conference of Principals (2002–2004).

·Member, National Steering Committee, Artist Teacher Scheme, National Society for Education in Art and Design (NSEAD) (2000–2003).

·Academic Honors

·Distinguished Visiting Professor, Tsinghua University (2020–present)

·Academic Advisor, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (2019–present)

·Honorary Professor, Central Academy of Fine Arts (2018–present)

·Visiting Professor, Lu Xun Academy of Fine Arts (2013–present)

·Member, Royal College of Art (2012)

·Professor, Royal College of Art (2011)

·Professor of Visual Arts, University of Glasgow (2006)

·Art, Design, and Communication Research Degree Supervision Qualification, Staff and Educational Development Association (SEDA), UK (2001–2003)

·Postgraduate Certificate in Teaching Art, Design, and Communication (2001–2002)

·Fellow, Higher Education Academy, UK (2004–present)

·Educational Background

·PhD, University of the Arts London (formerly London Institute) (1999)

·MA (Distinction), Camberwell College of Arts (1995)

·BA (Hons), Art Diploma, Central Saint Martins College of Art and Design (1989)

·Foundation Certificate in Art and Design, Middlesex Polytechnic (1986)

·Academic Achievements: 3 “A” Levels and 14 “O” Levels, Fortismere School, London (1978–1985)

·Professional Background (Selected)

·Deputy Vice-Chancellor and Provost, Royal College of Art (since 2011; Deputy Vice-Chancellor until October 2017)

·Director of Research and Postgraduate Studies, Glasgow School of Art (2004–2011)

·Director of Research, Wimbledon College of Arts (2004–2011)

·Visiting Lecturer, Cardiff School of Art and Design, University of Wales (2001)

·Research Consultant, Slade School of Fine Art (1998–1999)

·Visiting Lecturer, Royal College of Art (1995–1998)

·Visiting Lecturer, Middlesex University (1996–1997)

·Visiting Lecturer, Camberwell College of Arts (1994–1999)

·Lecturer, External Studies Centre, Birkbeck College, University of London (1992–1999)

Research Grants and Awards (Developed, Applied for, and/or Participated in Successful Grants)

·AI Design Laboratory, Royal College of Art and International Partners, total funding over £60 million.

·Arts and Humanities Research Council (AHRC) Partnership Capacity Building Pathway Block Grant (supporting 3 PhD and 6 MA students), Principal Applicant, Glasgow School of Art (2011), £125,000.

·Shared Academic Network. Erasmus Network Lifelong Learning Program, total funding €846,000 (35 European partner institutions) (2010–2013).

·College Art Association (CAA) Travel Grant. Total funding $250 for attending the CAA Annual Conference in New York (2007).

·AHRC Collaborative Doctoral Training Award. Total funding £10,000. Jointly developed research proposal and application with Stuart Evans, University of the Arts London, and Laura González, Glasgow School of Art (2006).

·Research Councils UK (RCUK) Academic Fellowship. Total funding £125,000. Jointly developed research proposal and application with research developers at Glasgow School of Art (2006).

·AHRC Practice-Led Research Project Review. Total funding £40,000. Research proposal and application developed by 10 UK art, design, and architecture institutions (2005).

·Scottish Higher Education Funding Council (SHEFC) Strategic Research Development Grant. Total funding £70,000 for feasibility study. Led team in application (2005).

·AHRC Collaborative Doctoral Training Award. Total funding £10,000. Jointly developed research proposal and application with Dr. Seymour Roworth-Stokes, Surrey Institute of Art & Design, and Dr. David Hawkins, Kent Institute of Art & Design (2004).

·AHRC Collaborative Doctoral Training Award. Total funding £10,000. Jointly developed research proposal and application with Stuart Evans, University of the Arts London (2004).

·AHRC Collaborative Doctoral Training Award. Total funding £10,000. Jointly developed research proposal and application with Teal Triggs, Kingston University (2004).

·ING Barings Bank Exhibition and Catalog Reprint. Total funding £6,000. Joint application with Allan Walker (2004).

·Rootstein Hopkins Trust Scholarship. Total funding £60,000. Joint application with Professor Rod Bugg, Professor Anita Taylor, and Dr. Malcolm Quinn (2004).

·Rootstein Hopkins Trust Observatory Program. Total funding £32,000. Jointly developed proposal and application with Allan Walker (2003).

·Study Abroad Program on Japanese Students’ Expectations and Experiences of Studying Art and Design in the UK. Funding of £16,000 from the Angus Lindsay Trust. Jointly developed proposal and application with Allan Walker (2002).

·Renewal, Exhibition, Catalog, International Symposium, and Portfolio Program in collaboration with the Victoria and Albert Museum. Funding sources: Embassy of Japan, Daiwa Foundation, Great Britain Sasakawa Foundation, totaling approximately £40,000. Joint application with Allan Walker (2001).

·Higher Education Funding Council for England (HEFCE) Grant of £20,000 to establish the Eyecon Digital Printing Research and Publishing Unit. Jointly developed proposal and application with Allan Walker (1999).

Personal and Collaborative Research Projects

·Published over 100 conference papers and journal articles internationally since 1991.

·Held over 90 solo and group exhibitions in the UK, Europe, the US, South Africa, Australia, China, and Japan since 1987.

·Works collected by the Victoria and Albert Museum, the British Museum, and institutions in the US, Japan, and China.

·Leader and Senior Responsible Officer of the AI Design Laboratory, a collaboration between the Royal College of Art and international institutions, with 15 RCA researchers involved (total funding value over £60 million).

·Erasmus Academic Network: Shared Program of the European League of Institutes of the Arts (Leapfrogging Higher Art Research and Education). Member of a consortium of 35 higher art education institutions in Europe, focusing on innovation and methods for artist-researchers in third-stage education (Erasmus Network Lifelong Learning Program, total funding €846,000) (2010–2013).

·International Drawing Institute. Leader of the drawing research project in collaboration with the Central Academy of Fine Arts, the College of Fine Arts and Design at the University of New South Wales, and the Glasgow School of Art (2004–2011).

·Arts and Humanities Research Council (AHRC) Practice-Led Research Project Review. Member of a UK-wide consortium commissioned by the AHRC to review practice-led research in the field. Partner institutions included: Sheffield Hallam University, the University of Sheffield, Nottingham Trent University, the University of Central England, the University of Hertfordshire, Leeds Metropolitan University, the University of Brighton, the University of York, University College London, and the Glasgow School of Art (2005–2006).

·ALTERNE Project, Wimbledon College of Arts in collaboration with Teesside University, the University of Salford, and European institutions. Project Lead for Wimbledon College of Arts (2003–2004).

·MARCEL Project (Multimedia Art Research Centre and Electronic Laboratory), Wimbledon College of Arts in collaboration with international institutions in Europe, the US, and Canada. Project Lead (2003–2004).

·Study Abroad Program on Japanese Students’ Expectations and Experiences of Studying Art and Design in the UK, Wimbledon College of Arts, London College of Fashion, the Angus Lindsay Trust, and the Centre for Learning and Teaching in Art and Design. Program Lead (in collaboration with Allan Walker) (2002–2003).

·Japan@Wimbledon Project, Wimbledon College of Arts in collaboration with the Victoria and Albert Museum, part of the 2001 Japan Festival, including renewal projects (Victoria and Albert Museum), digital collaboration (Cover Up), Japanese installation art (Vain Glorious), and Eyecon2 Japan Edition. Over 40 artists from the UK, Japan, and other countries participated in the project. (In collaboration with Allan Walker) (2002).

·Wimbledon College of Arts: Eyecon Digital Printing Research and Publishing Unit. Co-founded with Allan Walker (1999–present).

·University of the Arts London HEC: Camberwell College of Arts/Chelsea College of Art and Design. Integrated Computer Applications in Art Practice (1997–1999).

·University of the Arts London HEC: Camberwell College of Arts/Chelsea College of Art and Design. Integrated Computer, Printing Technology, and Printmaking Applications (1994–1997).

Research Degree Supervision and Examination

·Qualified PhD supervisor, examiner, and chair of PhD viva voce committees.

·Supervised and examined over 25 PhD/Master’s degrees and certificates in fields including design, digital visualization, moving image, fine art, painting and psychology, cultural policy, education and pedagogy, silversmithing and jewelry, and virtual reality (1998–present).

External Examination

·Liverpool John Moores University (2004–2007)

·Centre for Learning and Teaching in Art and Design (2004–2006)

·University of Auckland (2008–2009)

·London College of Communication (2010–2014)

·University of Salford (2012–2015)

·University of Brighton (2009)

·University of Hertfordshire (2008, 2010)

·University of Glasgow (2007)

·University of Gloucestershire (2011)

·University of Chichester (2014–2017)

Professorial and Senior Lectureship Roles

Invited as Visiting Professor, Senior Lecturer, or Expert Evaluator by the following institutions:

·Wimbledon College of Arts (2005)

·Sheffield Hallam University (2007)

·Kingston University (2007)

·University of Hertfordshire (2008)

·University of Brighton (2008)

·University of Melbourne, Australia (2009)

·UNITEC Institute of Technology, New Zealand (2010)

·University of Edinburgh (2011, 2014, 2016)

·Nottingham Trent University (2012)

·City, University of London (2012)

·Middlesex University (2012)

·University of Chester (2012)

·University of Auckland (2012)

·The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2020)

·University of Salford (2015)

·Loughborough University (2015, 2016)

·Tsinghua University (2020)