I currently serve as a Senior Lecturer and Year Leader in the BA (Hons) Design Management at UAL: London College of Communication. Since 2018, I have also served as an Associate Lecturer at UAL's six Institutes, collaborating on over a dozen courses across Foundation, Bachelor's, and Master's degrees. I hold 4 Master's degrees: a Master of Arts in Design Studies from Central Saint Martins College of Arts and Design, UAL; and a Master's degree and a Postgraduate Certificate in Academic Practice in Arts, Design, and Communication from the Chelsea College of Arts, UAL; a Master in Fashion Photography, and one in Marketing, Communication, and Audience Development for the Creative Industries. I have earned a diploma in Marketing and Communication for the Art World from Sotheby's Institute of Art.

 

I am a Fellow of the Higher Education Academy (AFHEA), currently on route to the Senior Fellowship.

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My broad portfolio of academic knowledge and professional expertise enables me to diversify my contributions and teach across several disciplines. As an internationally established Art Director, Cultural Editor, and Photographer, I have collaborated with the Marangoni Institute as a course leader for the BA (Hons) Visual Design and Communication. I have also worked in the MA Jewellery Design, the MA and BA Product Design, and the MA in Contemporary Interior Design.

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My academic practice is informed by the pedagogy of social justice, and I have consolidated my expertise over the years in diversity, equality, inclusion, and ethical design practices, both within academia and industry. I am a former contributor to the Academic Association Shades of Noir and the UAL Centre for anti-racism and practice-based social justice. I am a member of the Experimental Pedagogies Research Group and the Art Director Club Europe.

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I am an academic researcher in musicology and students' mental health and well-being. In my pedagogy, I use the language of music and sound to co-create with my students healthy, sustainable environments that support people's welfare while providing creative and engaging opportunities.

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The University of the Arts London ranked second in the 2026 QS World University Rankings for Art and Design. The pedagogical theories of social justice are the core of my teaching, with a strong focus on ethical design practices, DEI plans, sustainability, and the UNGoals.

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Since 2021, I have been collaborating as an Associate Lecturer at the University of the Arts London. I am the former Unit 5 Leader of the Master's in Arts & Cultural Enterprise at UAL: Central Saint Martins College of Arts & Design, where I currently work, designing and delivering teaching sessions for the UK and HK cohorts.

I have also designed and overseen a stand-alone unit, which provides both coaching and academic skills for personal and professional development.

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Whereas at UAL: London College of Fashion and at UAL: Short Courses, I have been collaborating on Fashion Business courses.

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Other collaborations also include:

• Master's course in Design Management (UK & HK) at the London College of Communication, UAL, London. 

• Master's course in Publishing & Journalism at the London College of Communication, UAL, London. 

• Master's course Culture, Criticism and Curation, located at  Central Saint Martin's College of Arts and Design, UAL, London.

• Master's course Graphic Branding + Identity, located at the London College of Communication, UAL, London. 

 

The broad nature of these Master courses allows me to teach several subjects, drawing on the variety of my cultural and professional background, which spans from creative communications, new media and contemporary arts to the fashion industry, publishing houses, music and advertising.

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ELENA ARZANI