Job Opening: Design Think Tank (DTT) Module Co-Leader — Apply by 20.06.2022

The London School of Architecture is looking for a Design Think Tank (DTT) Module Co-Leader to join its team. 

Job overview

We are looking for a motivated, imaginative and collaborative architect to take our Design Think Tank (DTT) module to the next level, enhancing the School’s reputation as providing innovative learning experiences for our students that are both relevant and impactful. The DTTs are at the core of the LSA’s practice-oriented and future-facing architectural education model.

Since the establishment of the LSA’s Part 2 in 2015, the Design Think Tank (DTT) has been one of our flagship modules, demonstrating the rich possibilities of a practice-led architectural education. The 14-week collaborative research and design project is undertaken by first year students in our MArch in Designing Architecture. The DTTs are led by leading architectural practices in London. The work builds on studies from the first design module, Design Cities, which each year focuses on a specific area of London and provides extensive contextual material. For academic year 2022/23 we anticipate that DTTs will use sites in and around Hackney, working collaboratively with local stakeholders.

Each year the LSA selects a shortlist of DTT topics to be studied from a long list of suggestions made by the LSA Practice Network. The study topics suggested are ones that require urgent consideration, innovative thinking and design solutions that will generate significant social and environmental progress and beneficial urban change.

Students work in collaborative groups led by senior staff from the sponsoring practice on one of the shortlisted study topics and are supported by LSA faculty to guide students through the research and design process. The module is framed by three key critical reviews where external critics and reviewers are invited to debate and help develop the work: Symposium 1, the Design Workshop, and Symposium 2.

To see examples of previous DTTs please visit our website here.

Location: 6 Orsman Road

Contract type: Freelance consultancy agreement

Salary: £250 per full day

Time/commitment: 17 days per annum, broken down as follows,

• Estimated 6 weeks preparation/briefing (one day per week) with practices
• 14-week module delivery (one half day per week)
• 3 full day symposia/workshops
• 1 full day of marking and moderation

Key relationships:

• Externally: LSA Practice Network
• Internally: Head of School; Academic Director; Programme Co-ordinator
• Reporting line: Academic Director

Key responsibilities

Working closely with the Head of the School (the module Co-Leader) and Academic Director, you will:

• Consult on all DTT themes with Academic Director and Head of School
• Assist in briefing all tutors on themes to support pairings in knowledge/expertise
• Co-convene a series of workshops/meetings with DTT leaders and tutors to prepare DTT outline (July) and full briefs (October)
• Manage the module’s day-to-day delivery, ensuring a positive student learning experience, and monitoring, reviewing and enhancing programme content and delivery
• Ensure that relevant module specifications are maintained, delivered, and assessed before publication
• Ensure that the programme learning outcomes are fit for purpose and that module learning outcomes are aligned to them
• Produce annual module information on the Design Think Tank Project for students to include information on the intended learning outcomes, teaching programme and assessment arrangements
• Issue students with an appropriate written brief at the beginning of the Design Think Tank module and where appropriate sub-assignments
• Incorporate any organisational/regulatory/annual feedback into DTT module booklet
• Prepare timetable in liaison with Academic Director and Programme Co-ordinator
• Manage week-on-week logistics of tutorial sessions, support where needed
• Lead on preparation for 2 Symposia and 1 workshop: select guests and reviewers in consultation with Academic Director and Head of School and organise with Programme Coordinator
• Oversee any/all students progress throughout the module. Liaise with tutors and Programme Coordinator on issues arising in a timely manner
• Support on all marking/moderation sessions. Ensure all written feedback is delivered on time and with the Programme Coordinator
• Ensure module feedback is circulated and receives sufficient response rate for quality assurance purposes

DTT module timeline

• July: Appoint DTT leads and draft headline themes
• August: Publish themes and circulate to new cohort
• September: Develop DTT brief (in tandem with Design Cities/sites)
• October: Finalise briefs
• November: Launch module
• March: Complete module

Essential skills and experience

• ARB registered architect with experience (minimum 5 years) of architectural practice in an RIBA chartered practice
• Experience of architectural education/module delivery
• Strong organisational and interpersonal skills
• Strong leadership and time-management skills
• Exemplary written and verbal communication skills
• Demonstrable evidence of practice-based research (including design, social science and/or humanities methods)

Desirable skills and experience

• A higher research degree in architecture, planning or cognate field (eg PhD)
• An extensive network of designers and practitioners in London
• Detailed knowledge of London practice, governance, structures and systems in architecture and city-making
• Experience in collaborative practice, in particular with local authorities and civic institutions

Please submit your application to people@the-lsa.org no later than 10am on Monday 20 June.  Your application must include:

• Cover letter and CV
• Teaching/research portfolio of no more than 4 pages
• Contact details for 2 references (one academic, one professional). Please only provide details of referees who you are happy for us to contact as part of the interview and recruitment process

Interviews will be held during w/c 27 June 2022.