Strathclyde Chancellor’s Fellow / Lythe Senior Lecturer in Creative Practice

Department: Humanities - English & Creative Writing

Who we are  

Great minds. Innovative solutions. 

We are the University of Strathclyde. Our vision is innovative and groundbreaking, placing us amongst the world’s leading international technological universities. We are vibrant, dynamic, and passionate about solving the challenges facing society and industry through our cutting-edge, multi-disciplinary research, education, and knowledge-exchange with global partners. 

We are seeking to appoint extraordinary early career academics who complement our strategic themes. 

Our subject area 

English has been taught at the University of Strathclyde since 1964, when the university received its Royal Charter. Creative Writing has been taught at Strathclyde since the 1980s, with notable alumni and staff including Andrew O’Hagan, Ali Smith, Zoe Wicomb, Margaret Elphinstone, and David Kinloch. We’re ranked 1st in Scotland and 2nd in the UK and for Creative Writing (Complete University Guide 2024). We’re 2nd in Scotland and 5th in the UK for English (The Times/Sunday Times Good University Guide 2024). 

ECW at Strathclyde has expertise in a range of approaches to literary production including animal studies, experimental writing, linguistic and cognitive literary studies, postcolonial writing, disability studies, trauma studies, queer theory, and literature as heritage. We have several active research projects and have recently attracted funding from the AHRC, The British Academy, and The Leverhulme Trust. We have a particular expertise in the Renaissance, the Victorian, the medical humanities, and the contemporary. In the area of Creative Writing and Creative Practice, we have research interests in contemporary fiction, experimental literature, poetry, hybrid writing, creative non-fiction, historical fiction, and screenwriting. The current Creative Writing team include Sarah Bernstein, Rodge Glass, Andrew Meehan, Maria Sledmere, Steven Veerapen, and Jessie Widner.  

The unit currently teaches two undergraduate pathways (English and English & Creative Writing), and a postgraduate degree in Creative Writing. We have PhD students from across the globe working across areas from the early modern period to contemporary literature. At an undergraduate level, Creative Writing is integrated into all core provision of English Literature. 

The opportunity 

Through the Charlotte Lythe bequest, we are investing in a number of Lythe Lectureships across Humanities to support the development of postgraduate teaching and research programmes and enhance our research excellence.  

The Department of Humanities seeks to appoint a Chancellor’s Fellow/ Lythe Senior Lecturer in Creative Practice to join our English & Creative writing subject team. We are looking for a candidate who can make a distinct contribution to research and teaching in Creative Practice at Strathclyde and provide leadership around creative practice and/as research. Applicants should have a strong profile in the field of Creative Practice research which can include practice-based outputs. We are open to candidates working in any area of Creative Practice who have an established track record of teaching and research in the field. Expertise in screenwriting, theatre or multimedia arts would be particularly welcome.  

Humanities is central to the University of Strathclyde’s position as a socially progressive, leading international technological University and we are keen to hear from applicants who can offer vision and experience in connecting creative practice to research and teaching across the University. We would love to hear from you if you have a PhD and postdoctoral research experience; a strong publication history, including in relation to creative practice as research; and research interests which align with this area of strategic priority – particularly if you already hold an external fellowship that can be transferred to us. We are keen to hear how candidates’ research aligns with Humanities’ newly formed research groups: Culture, Communication and Creative Practice; Health and Environment; Communities, Societies and States. 

The University of Strathclyde is a socially progressive institution that strives to ensure equality of opportunity and celebrates the diversity of its student and staff community. Strathclyde is people-oriented and collaborative, offering a supportive and flexible working culture with a deep commitment to our equality, diversity and inclusion charters, initiatives, groups and networks. 

We strongly encourage applications from Black, Asian and minority ethnicity, women, LGBT+, and disabled candidates and candidates from lower socio-economic groups and care-experienced backgrounds.  

You’ll be rewarded with: 

• Growth of your research portfolio  
• Reduced teaching load and limited administrative duties over the initial years of your Fellowship 
• Support through our academic career development framework to gain feedback on your performance, meet your training needs and enhance your effectiveness – allowing you to be ready for promotion within 5-years of your appointment 
• Mentoring, to help you establish a balance of research, teaching, knowledge exchange and citizenship responsibilities while enhancing your leadership qualities to support your long-term career. 

Application Procedure  

To apply, click the s1jobs APPLY button to visit Strathclyde’s vacancies portal and provide: 

• A fully completed application form 
• A cover letter 
• A CV; and 
• A 5-year Strathclyde research plan which outlines your vision, aligned to our strategic plan and highlights any existing or future opportunities for collaborative initiatives. (maximum 4 pages). 

Further Information  

Informal enquiries about the post can be directed to Professor Karen Boyle, Head of Department of Humanities (karen.boyle.101@ strath.ac.uk). 

For more information, or to contact a Strathclyde colleague who would love to talk to you about this opportunity, visit our Global Talent website.