Miss Mata Ayoub

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Mata Ayoub
About
Teaching and learning
Professional practice, knowledge exchange and impact
Leadership and management

About

As the School Director of Learning and Teaching, for the School of Critical Studies and Creative Industries and School of Arts, Culture and Communication, I am experienced and take pride in recognising, disseminating, and providing informative comments and recommendations on best practice and innovation relating to the learning and teaching.

After completing my BA (Hons) in Media and Cultural Studies with Film, I went onto study a MA in Education where I focussed upon Autism Spectrum Difference. I worked at WAC Performing Arts School for many years with young people with special needs, where I used Filmmaking to offer an alternative approach to learning and teaching. My professional practice both within and outside academia, and non-traditional academic background have given me a commitment to broadening access to Education.

I am chair of the Black Asian Minority Ethnic Minority Ethnic (BAME)/People of Colour (PoC) Staff Network. It makes me very proud that at Kingston University we have one of the most influential BAME/PoC networks of any university. The reason for this is not only the endeavours of its members but also the support from senior leadership/teams. For example, the chair is part of a fractional paid role and funding is provided to deliver projects that enhance the experience of BAME/PoC staff and students.

During my academic career, I have been commended for my award-winning contribution in learning and teaching at postgraduate and undergraduate levels, through gaining Senior Fellowship. I am also in receipt of the Kingston Learning and Teaching Fellow Award and was recognised for my commitment to ongoing professional development, and contributions to EDI that go well beyond my academic role and clearly support other staff.

My research interests include:

  • How to manage courageous conversations about race and characteristics in relation to the Equality Act 2010
  • Creating a KU Journal ‘Diversity in the Academy'.
  • Autism Spectrum Disorder.
  • Filmmaking approach as an alternative method for learning and teaching

My dedication to inclusivity is demonstrated through my contributions in facilitating courageous conversations and leading on race equality. In addition, I am working towards creating an Interdisciplinary Journal to support BME/PoC to participate, engage, and network in academia and beyond together with colleagues in KSA. Last, as a governor of a special school for the last 16 years, I continue to support and advise on projects that involve young people with autism.

Academic responsibilities

School Director Learning & Teaching

Teaching and learning

Qualifications and expertise

  • BA (Hons) Media & Cultural Studies with Film
  • Postgraduate Certificate in Teaching and Learning in Higher Education
  • MA Education
  • Most Innovative Lecturer Award
  • SFHEA (Senior Fellow of the Higher Education Academy)
  • Kingston Learning and Teaching Fellow Award

Undergraduate courses taught

Professional practice, knowledge exchange and impact

Professional and scholarly affiliations

  • ELIA EDI Working Group

Leadership and management

As Kingston University's School Director of Learning and Teaching (SDoLT), for the School of Critical Studies and Creative Industries and School of Arts, Culture and Communication, I am experienced and take pride in recognising, disseminating, and providing informative comments and recommendations on best practice and innovation relating to the learning and teaching o degree programmes. Within this role, I am responsible for leading on providing the best student experience possible from the initial design of modules, creating inclusive learning opportunities, assembling documentation for validation, staff development and monitoring the quality assurance processes. Within this role, I am responsible for leading on providing the best student experience possible from the initial design of modules, creating inclusive learning opportunities, assembling documentation for validation, staff development and monitoring the quality assurance processes.

As the chair of the Staff Network, Equality, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) and racial equality are at the heart of my practice. As part of governance, I am involved with the EDI committee, Network for Equality Champions, the Race Equality Charter Mark, Athena Swan. My current work in the BAME staff network focusses on embedding anti-racism strategies into business-as-usual mechanisms at KU. Part of that work involves developing perspectives on what it means to decolonise the curriculum in HE and re-imaging recruitment procedures. 

As chair of the Kingston School of Arts Black Minority Ethnic Alumni Advisory Group (BMEAAG), we recognise that outreach work is important in ensuring that potential students can feel valued and safe to enter HE. The group hopes to create a greater dialogue with students in Years 10/11, and colleges about creative practice to increase diversity within art and design-based courses. Furthermore, the BMEAAG, are collaborating with KU Learning, Teaching and Enhancement Centre (LTEC) to review the Inclusive Curriculum Framework (ICF) with an anti-racist lens and engage staff in narratives around decolonising. 

Qualifications and expertise

  • Different Leaders Executive Development Programme (Stellar HE)