FACE and UAL
Knowledge Exchange: Report by Jason Forest. Images by Alex Fausk 2024
To address systemic barriers that impact global majority students within the disciplines of Art and Design and ss part of the University of Arts London ( UAL) 2024 Reclaiming Narratives lecture series spearheaded by myself as a Curriculum Developer, the FACE founders Sharon Lloyd, and Andrew Ibi and associate Lead Caryn Franklin MBE provided an insightful presentation on the FACE Race Handbook for Educators on 29.11.24 at the London College of Fashion. (LCF)
This knowledge transfer event, highlighted the challenges and practical interventions on reshaping race, identity, and equity within creative education.
The Race Handbook, developed by FACE, associates through extensive collaboration with students, educators and community voices, and offers a bold, practical toolkit for embedding anti-racist practice in arts and fashion pedagogy.
During the session, FACE’s speakers highlighted key themes from the handbook:
· decentring whiteness in the curriculum,
· interrogating institutional power structures,
· and co-creating inclusive learning environments rooted in lived experience and critical reflection.
Framing the session within the broader aims of Reclaiming Narratives; I currated a series designed to elevate underrepresented voices and confront structural inequities across art and design education. As a facilitator I wanted to encourage open dialogue, inviting attendees to reflect on their own positionalities and to consider how accountability, care, and cultural literacy can be woven into everyday teaching practices.
Attended by UAL staff, students and external guests, the talk was praised for its clarity, urgency and vision. It marked an important moment in UAL’s journey toward transforming educational spaces into sites of equity, imagination and resistance.
Staff Quote:
“Everyone at UAL needs to participate in these conversations if the organisation wants to achieve change.”
Student Quote:
“The FACE Talk was excellent! I wasn’t aware of it before, but I’m glad to have learned about this valuable toolkit for educators addressing racism in our arts education system. As an aspiring educator, it reassures me that I’m on the right path.”
UAL x FACE event
On reflection to this guest talk, we are excited to pilot an internal collaboration with the FACE curriculum pillar on Monday, 7 July at our Chelsea college between 14 - 17 pm, featuring five distinguished professionals from academia and industry.
Dr Avis Charles. Founder of Avis Charles Associates
Benita Odogwu Atkinson. Education Consultant in Fashion and Social Justice
Caryn Franklin MBE: Visiting Professor Kingston School of Art
Gavin Douglas: Programme Leader for Fashion Design Manchester Metropolitan University
Sharon Lloyd: Associate Professor and Deputy Director of the centre equity and inclusion at London metropolitan University
Format: FACE Members will conduct six 30-minute tutorial sessions aimed at fostering discussions about unit briefs, course content and classroom interventions, while offering insights from FACE research on bias and microaggressions to curriculum developers in preparation for the autumn teaching term.
We look forward to our continued learning.