Director of Scholarly Activity & Research / Head of Faculty

Qualifications – BA (Hons), MA, (Studying PhD), CIM, FHEA

Olivia joined The Northern School of Art in 2017, after working in industry for over twelve years. Olivia’s dual role as Director focuses on the School’s approach to Research and Scholarly Activity while overseeing the leadership of the Visual Arts Faculty. Olivia is a specialist in higher education with her doctorate research focusing on Creative Art School pedagogy.

Prior to joining the School, Olivia’s career began working with many leading graphic design and advertising agencies. Olivia’s most recent industry role focused on internationalising a design and interior company. Olivia led the brand campaign in the Middle East, managing a design team and leading international design projects for the hospitality industry. Furthermore, operating as a freelancer, Olivia developed and led an award-winning e-commerce design business to promote local and emerging design practitioners. She is a regular guest speaker at Digital Leaders and Women in Digital and has worked as an enterprise mentor.

Olivia’s own practice has a digital focus and expertise is in research-driven, commercially orientated design. Her keen interest is in the area where design meets business. Olivia’s skills lie in developing the students’ ability to design commercially aware graphic and digital solutions.