Professor in Digital Media

University of the West of England; Bristol; Hybrid; GBP 60,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading university in the UK seeks a Professor of Immersive Media to shape the future of digital media research and innovation. The role involves leading impactful research, securing funding, and mentoring talent. Ideal candidates will have a strong international profile in emerging media technologies and a passion for academic leadership. The position offers opportunities for collaboration in a vibrant research environment.

Benefits

Progressive pay rates

Generous annual leave

Career average pension schemes

Onsite nursery

Training and personal development opportunities

Qualifications

• Strong international profile in collaborative, impactful research.
• Proven track record of securing research income.
• Experience in leading interdisciplinary projects.

Responsibilities

• Lead pioneering research in emerging digital media.
• Secure major funding and mentor researchers.
• Contribute to research-led teaching across programmes.

Skills

Collaborative research

Impactful practice

Funding acquisition

Mentorship

Education

Strong international profile

Proven track record in research

Experience in leading interdisciplinary projects

Job description

Overview

The School of Arts at UWE Bristol invites applications for a visionary Professor with an international reputation in Immersive Media, Evolving Media, and/or Digital Media Arts. This strategic role will shape the future of digital media research, innovation, and knowledge exchange, enhancing the School’s leadership in impactful, challenge-led research and creative practice. Our School has a history of pioneering digital and creative industries research, leading landmark initiatives such as the national Immersive Arts project, SWCTN, Bristol & Bath Creative R&D, and REACT, and collaborating on major projects including My World and Virtual Realities. This Professorship offers a unique opportunity to build on that foundation and lead the next chapter of innovation and impact.

Responsibilities

• Lead pioneering research in emerging digital media—spanning immersive content, AR/VR/XR, spatial storytelling, and audience experience.
• Secure major funding and mentor researchers.
• Contribute to research-led teaching across screen, media, and digital programmes.
• Enhance research excellence and strengthen partnerships across the creative and digital sectors to position UWE Bristol as a global hub for creative industries research.

About You

You will bring a strong international profile in collaborative, impactful research or practice in emerging media technologies. You have a proven track record of securing research income, leading substantial interdisciplinary projects, and publishing across traditional, practice-based, or KE outputs. You’re passionate about mentoring academic talent, shaping innovative UG and PG curricula, and supervising PGR students. Your leadership will help advance the School’s national and global reputation.

Why UWE Bristol?

The Digital Cultures Research Centre sits at the heart of the School. Informed by UWE’s long-standing partnership in Watershed’s Pervasive Media Studio, the DCRC’s character is a mix of criticality, creativity and application. It maps and contextualises emerging practices and critically reflects on aesthetics, ethics and impacts, while creating practical approaches to responsible technological futures.

The Bridge Studios is an AHRC funded interdisciplinary research lab and a state-of-the-art creative space for physical-meta production, fabrication, and innovation.

The Centre For Print Research, based in UWE’s School of Arts, has links and partnerships with world-leading academic institutions; an outstanding track record in working with industry; and collaborates with high-profile artists, studios, contemporary makers and galleries.

Benefits and Diversity

UWE Bristol offers a wide range of employee benefits including progressive pay rates, generous annual leave and career average pension schemes, as well as retail savings, onsite nursery and opportunities for training and personal development. A tailored professional programme supports academic colleagues in delivering high standards in research and teaching.

UWE Bristol recognises the power of a truly diverse university community. We are proud to be part of a vibrant, multicultural city that celebrates diversity, and we seek talented people from all backgrounds. We particularly encourage applications from global majority candidates as we are under-represented in this area. All appointments are made on individual merit. As a Disability Confident employer, we welcome applications from those who identify as having a disability.

Further information

If you would like to speak to us to find out more about this role, please contact Professor David Greenham – [e-mail].

Shortlisting is expected to be completed within 2 weeks of the closing date depending on application volumes. Interview dates are still to be confirmed.

UWE Bristol is campus-based with some opportunity for remote working. The University has a legal responsibility to ensure that all employees are eligible to live and work in the UK. You will be required to provide evidence of your right to work in the UK. Visa guidance and sponsorship options are available for qualifying candidates where applicable, including potential sponsorship under the Skilled Worker visa route or endorsement for a Global Talent Visa. UWE Bristol does not cover visa or health surcharge costs. Other visa options to work in the UK may be explored.

Advice to applicants

We’d love to hear from you—if you are excited about this opportunity, please complete our application form as soon as possible. Describe how you meet the essential and desirable criteria listed in the Person Specification with specific examples. Once shortlisted, we will inform you of the outcome by email.