Governance

Last updated 21 March 2022

Structure and processes for decision making and accountability at the College.

Charter, Statutes and Ordinances

The main constitutional documents of the RCA are the

Download the previous RCA Charter, Statutes and Ordinances (2017) and RCA Charter, Statues and Ordinances (2007).

Regulations

The Royal College of Art Regulations contain useful information about many aspects of College life.

Download the Regulations in PDF format: RCA Regulations 2020/21

If you have any queries about the Regulations, please contact [email protected]

The Council

The Council is the governing body of the College responsible for all matters concerning property and finance, administrative policy, overall strategy and any issues affecting the general welfare of the College.

All the most senior appointments within the College are ultimately made by the Council; Chancellor, Chair of Council, the Vice-Chancellor and Deputy-Vice-Chancellor and Provost.

The Senate

The Senate exercises full responsibility over the academic work of the College and , subject to the powers reserved to the Council by the Statutes, takes measures and acts to promote the academic work of the College both in teaching and research, and for the regulation and superintendence of the education, welfare and discipline of the students.

The Senate agrees the appointment of external examiners, new academic developments, syllabi and student numbers and revisions to the Regulations. It approves the final examination results and awards the degrees. The membership of 20 includes Deans of School and representatives of the staff and students. The Senate normally meets three times a year.

The Vice-Chancellor's Office

The Vice-Chancellor is, as stated in the College's Charter, the principal academic and administrative officer of the College – in other words, its Chief Executive Officer.

Vice-Chancellor: Dr Paul Thompson

EA to the Vice-Chancellor: Laura Radsma

The Deputy-Vice-Chancellor and Provost directs the academic side of the College, particularly quality and standards in teaching and learning.

Deputy Vice-Chancellor and Provost: Professor Naren Barfield

Executive Director Operations: Heather Akif

Directors and Deans

Director of Finance: Amanda White 

Director of Human Resources: Karen Ingram

Director of Building Operations: Angela Mitten

Director of Research & Innovation: Dr Emma Wakelin

Director of Information, Learning & Technical Services: Jaqui Lipinski

Director of Development & Alumni Relations: Helen Protheroe

Director of Communication & Marketing: Lorna Gozzard

Director of Academic Development: Corinne Smith 

Dean, School of Architecture: Dr Adrian Lahoud

Dean, School of Communication: Kerry Curtis

Dean, School of Design: Professor Paul Anderson

Dean, School of Arts & Humanities: Professor Ken Neil

Vice-Chancellor

Dr Paul Thompson is a leading authority on art and design having worked at the intersection of culture and education for three decades.

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Deputy Vice Chancellor and Provost

Naren is an artist who has held several senior academic leadership positions, including leading research in two specialist art and design institutions.

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Dean

Paul has an international profile in leading-edge research into fundamental human computer interface issues associated with 3D interfaces, haptics, 3D sound and gesture-based interaction.

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