Adjunct Lecturer in Graphic Design

Middlesex University Dubai is the first overseas campus of the renowned Middlesex University London. Established in 2005, we are now home to a thriving student community of over 7,100 students from more than 120 nationalities. Recognised as Dubai’s largest UK university for total student enrolment, we offer a world’class, career-focused education with a wide range of undergraduate and postgraduate programmes. Our strong industry links, state‑of‑the-art campus facilities, and vibrant student experience make us one of the leading higher education institutions in the region.

Job Description

Overall Requirement:

To contribute to the delivery and development of modules related to Design Theory within the undergraduate programme, bringing together historical, critical, and theoretical perspectives on design with contemporary practice and industry relevance. The postholder will work as part of a collaborative team of academic, technical, and administrative colleagues to facilitate high-quality learning and contribute to curriculum development, student advising, and administration.

Teaching and Learning

To contribute to teaching and learning through:

• The design, preparation, and development of module teaching materials in design theory, integrating design history, critical theory, and contemporary design discourse.
• The delivery of lectures, seminars, workshops, tutorials, and other learning formats, drawing on canonical and emerging theoretical frameworks alongside real-world design practice.
• Assessing student work, which includes setting and marking assignments and examination papers, and preparing and providing constructive written feedback.
• Invigilation, assessment administration, and attendance at progression boards where required.

To liaise closely with teaching, technical, and administrative colleagues, and where relevant with industry partners, to ensure a high-quality, intellectually rigorous learning environment that connects design theory to professional and creative practice.

Academic Advice

To provide advice and guidance to students to support their academic development and graduate employability. This requires a working knowledge of the academic structure, assessment regulations and procedures, and an understanding of the discipline and its professional landscape.

To contribute to curriculum innovation and enhancement, ensuring that the Design Theory module remains current, critically engaged, and responsive to developments in design scholarship, practice, and industry.

Management and Administration

• To liaise with and assist colleagues in the administration and management of relevant modules and programmes.
• To contribute to academic administration at School and cross-School level, including student recruitment, induction, programme planning, assessment boards, and course development teams as appropriate.
• To undertake personal administrative work, including the use of the student database (MISIS), filing, and word processing.
• To attend meetings and committees as appropriate.

Flexibility

Given the need for flexibility in meeting changing requirements, the duties and location of this post may be subject to change following consultation.

The University operates a No Smoking policy and is committed to Equality of Opportunity.

Requirements

Person Specification

VISITING/ADJUNCT FACULTY — DESIGN THEORY

ESSENTIAL CRITERIA

DESIRABLE CRITERIA

1. Qualifications / Education

• A Master's degree or higher in Design Theory, Design History, Visual Culture, or a closely related discipline
• Evidence of continuing professional development in design, design education, or related fields
• PhD or doctoral research in design theory, design history, or a cognate area
• Recognised teaching qualification (e.g. PGCHE, Fellowship of the HEA)
• Active membership of a relevant professional body (e.g. Design Research Society)

2. Experience

• Experience in teaching, training, or mentoring at higher education or professional level
• Demonstrated ability to teach design theory, design history, or critical and cultural studies in a design context
• Experience in setting, assessing, and providing feedback on student work
• Track record of connecting theoretical content to studio practice or industry application
• Professional practice or consultancy experience in design or a related creative field
• Prior experience teaching in an international or multicultural higher education context

3. Skills

• Strong command of design theory and the ability to contextualise it for undergraduate learners
• Excellent written and spoken English
• Effective interpersonal and communication skills, with ability to engage diverse student cohorts
• Ability to provide academic and career-oriented guidance to students
• Ability to teach across a range of subjects within design studies, including visual culture, design ethics, sustainability, or design and technology
• Competency in using digital platforms and tools for teaching and learning
• Capacity to integrate primary and secondary design sources into engaging teaching materials
• Ability to connect historical and theoretical perspectives with contemporary design practice, enabling students to critically analyse emerging technologies, visual culture, and professional practice.

4. Knowledge

• Broad knowledge of design history, theory, and criticism, including both Western and non-Western traditions
• Awareness of contemporary design discourse, including emerging debates around sustainability, decolonisation, digital design, and human-centred approaches
• Understanding of applied teaching and learning methods in higher education
• Familiarity with British higher education quality assurance requirements and academic standards
• Knowledge of the UAE higher education landscape, including relevant regulatory frameworks
• Understanding of design practice and industry ecosystems in the MENA region

5. Personal Qualities

• Ability to communicate and collaborate effectively with academic and administrative colleagues
• Genuine care for student experience and academic progress
• Strong time management and organisational skills
• Professional credibility and integrity
• Commitment to equality of opportunity and inclusive practice
• Enthusiasm for interdisciplinary teaching and cross-programme collaboration
• Interest in mentoring students toward graduate employability and design careers
• Willingness to contribute to the wider departmental and university community

6. Other

• Commitment to ongoing professional and scholarly development
• Flexible, proactive, and adaptive approach to the needs of the programme and institution
• Engagement with design research, publication, exhibition, or other forms of scholarly or creative output
• Involvement in industry partnerships, design community events, or public engagement activities