N/A Theodora Philcox

Biography

I am a cultural historian and creative thinker, who has spent the majority of my career supporting emerging designers and artists of all levels to raise their ambitions and achieve their potential. I managed the BA in Fine Art & Contemporary Cultures and Foundation Degree in Graphic Design/Illustration at Warwickshire College, where I was also contextual studies coordinator in the School of Arts. I am currently a staff tutor and an associate lecturer within the Engineering and Innovation School where I am also the chair for U101: Design thinking in the 21st Century. I am also an associate lecturer within FASS.

Prior to my teaching career, as a graduate in Information and Editorial Design, I was a designer and illustrator principally working on the surface design and illustration for Superdrug's packaging but also designing and illustrating bill boards for the Jamaican Tourist Board. I hold a diploma in Copywriting from the Institute of Copywriting. For most of my career I have reviewed books for a number of arts magazines  and through which I was commissioned to write a number of books on practical painting, including a Christmas book and kit for Marks and Spencers. My books have been translated into German and Chinese. 

Research interests

My postgraduate study was interdisciplinary, focusing on the wider social context of the history of art and design, and in particular its relationship to science and medicine. I undertook research in the department of psychiatry at the Salpetriere hospital in Paris and I continue to research how the history of psychiatry affected the arts in the nineteenth and early twentieth centuries. I also focus on the impact of ancient cultural heritage on symbolism in early twentieth century art and literature and its links with the science and politics of the time.

Teaching interests

Having been Head of Teaching and Learning Improvement at my previous institution where I observed over 500 teaching sessions, I developed a particular interest in supporting students with additional needs and I continue to focus on this in my staff tutor role. I have undertaken two eSTEeM scholarship projects to support this.   

I was involved in the production of the Level One Design Module, T190: Design Practices and am currently working with the authoring team for the new Level Two Design Modules T240: Design for Impact and T290: Design Projects. As Module Chair for U101: Design Thinking for the 21st Century, I will then be involved in the re-write of this module that will, with the new Level Three modules, complete the Bachelor of Design programme. 

Impact and engagement