Design, Arts and Creative Practice KERI

Dr Kate Scott is a recipient of a Leverhulme Research Fellowship (Sept 25-Dec26). Her research project will use what we already know about human cognition to develop an account of how we communicate with mass audiences. The insights from this research will have implications for our understanding of social media interactions and will shed light on other mass public communication including broadcast journalism and advertising. 

Professor Heba Elsharkawy’s research, funded by the British Council and Medical Research Council (MRC), focuses on sustainable architecture and climate resilience. Her projects, such as “Towards Net Zero Carbon Campuses”, promote low-carbon design and climate literacy in universities, while building international partnerships for sustainable development. She also co-led the MRC-funded “Healthy Energy Efficient Dwellings” project, exploring how housing design impacts energy use and occupant health. Her work bridges environmental design, public health and education, shaping policy and practice for a more sustainable future.

Dr Shane O'Sullivan’s AHRC-funded Make Film History project gives students and educators unprecedented access to over 300 archival films from the BFI, BBC, Irish Film Institute and Northern Ireland Screen. By licensing these materials for creative reuse, the initiative empowers emerging filmmakers to explore documentary storytelling and cultural memory. The project won the Excellence in Unlocking the Value and Potential of Archives Award at the FIAT/IFTA Archive Achievement Awards in 2021 and is used in over 100 institutions across the UK and Ireland.

Elizabeth Price, Professor of Film and Photography, is a British contemporary artist known for her powerful digital films that explore the social and political histories embedded in objects, buildings and archives. Her work explores these historic artefacts using a striking visual and sonic style, using rhythmic sounds and layered vocals to create immersive, emotionally charged experiences. In her recent project HERE WE ARE, shown at Liverpool Biennial 2025, Professor Price investigates post-war Catholic modernist churches as silent witnesses to migration and social change. Working in partnership with the Paul Mellon Centre for Studies in British Art, Price advances the frontiers of research-led artistic exploration.

The South London Creative and Digital Innovation Cluster was established in September 2023 to champion the region’s creative industries. During 2024/25 the Cluster delivered 198 hours of tailored business support across five boroughs: Croydon, Kingston upon Thames, Merton, Richmond upon Thames and Sutton. The initiative has been a driving force in elevating South London's creative and digital sector through workshops, mentoring and strategic guidance, helping local businesses to thrive, innovate and connect across the region.

Professor Heba Elsharkawy is leading a transformative climate literacy initiative through her role on the Commonwealth Association of Architects, Education Steering Committee. This project aims to embed climate-responsive thinking into architectural education across the Commonwealth, equipping future professionals with the knowledge and tools to address environmental challenges.

In addition to her work with the CAA, Professor Elsharkawy contributes to shaping the built environment locally as a member of the Kingston Placemaking Panel. Her expertise also extends to national recognition, serving as a sustainability expert on the jury panel for the Royal Institute of British Architects National Awards, championing design excellence that prioritises environmental responsibility. These roles reflect her commitment to knowledge exchange, interdisciplinary collaboration and the advancement of sustainable architectural practice.

From February to June 2024, Kingston School of Art teamed up with engineering consultancy JNDC to overhaul its client-facing product review process. Led by Senior Lecturers Tao Lin and Max Ryan, and managed by Dr Kate Scott, the project embedded MA Graphic Design graduate Marie Gollhofer within JNDC’s team to explore visual communication strategies.

Using hybrid workflows and tools like Miro, the team transformed complex engineering consultations into clear, engaging visuals. Marie’s research revealed key process gaps and led to the creation of interactive tools, including a “game board” and worksheets, that help JNDC guide clients through project diagnostics with clarity and creativity. JNDC praised the collaboration for exceeding expectations and enhancing their client engagement.

Visconti Studio at Kingston University is a premier analogue and hybrid recording facility, created in partnership with legendary record producer Tony Visconti. Situated on the Kingston Hill campus, the studio serves as a hub for commercial recording, academic research, education and community outreach.

Equipped with vintage and modern gear, including tape machines, Mellotrons and a Steinway concert grand, the studio offers competitive hire packages and a world-class live room ideal for ensemble sessions and high-end post-production. The Visconti Studio actively partners with artists, indie labels, music groups, audio innovators and educational bodies, it also invites collaborations that align with its research themes. These themes include analogue heritage, inclusive audio practices, music’s role in mental health, fostering innovation, training, and creative exploration.