| Description | Interview with Angela Drisdale-Gordon, Head of Further Education Office.
The interview can be accessed in QuickTime Movie and Waveform Audio formats.
Interview description:
Audio 1 [00:00] Angela Drisdale-Gordon; Head of Further Education Office at University of the Arts London; student at London College of Fashion from 1979-1982; set up own business making bespoke leather garments; began part-time teaching; current role looking after Further Education provision. [03:41] Family background; attraction to the creative arts; participating in the National Saturday Club; developing fashion portfolio [09:30] Applying to LCF; first impressions of the college; descriptions of the fashion courses; social and working life on the course. [13:53] Memories of the building and workspace at John Princes Street; reputation of the college; description of a typical day and activities on the course; practical skills as well as design. [20:38] Relationship between tutors and the students. [23:06] Social life at the college; punk subculture emerging; industry competitions, companies ‘stealing’ student designs; intellectual property. [29:09] Relationship with students in other colleges; Central Saint Martins, differences between students at CSM and LCF; getting a sense of the competition from other institutions in final year of course; graduation. [32:30] Ethos at LCF, being asked to teach on the course after graduating; teaching on the Fashion Appreciation course; returning to LCF as a lecturer. [39:15] College changes after becoming part of the London Institute, how it felt like a ‘time of plenty’; teaching on various different courses; successfully phasing out FE courses; negative impact of dwindling FE provision; pressures leading to this, competing with CSM; LCF reputation as a selective institution. [47:51] Representing black academic staff; staying at UAL through all changes; successfully navigated career path, drive and motivation. [49.21] Time as a course leader; OFSTED inspection 2012, inconsistent processes noted; successfully phasing out FE courses; move into Head of Further Education part-time, insight into university as a whole; part of steering group for LCF move to Stratford; working in current full-time position as Head of FE; value of secondment opportunities at UAL. [57:54] How FE has changed at UAL and in the UK; cost of living in London and impact on students; attainment gap at FE level is smaller than at degree level, reasons for this – knowing students, understanding context of their study, monitoring attendance, pre-empt issues and provide support; future for FE courses at UAL. [01:05:04] Changes in the fashion industry and how this changes teaching; recycling design, lack of innovation in the industry; background in studying and teaching supports current management role. [01:10:01] Adjusting to corporate aspect of current role; understanding different roles within the university, encouraging administrative staff to be involved with the colleges; joining the union, position as Health and Safety Officer at LCF which keeps a link to the college; supporting strike action and disputes. [01:15:50] Setting up BAME Talent Day, discussions around lack of representation in staff; experience of applying for other roles at LCF; reaching burnout stage as a course leader, responsibilities of the job. [01:20:56] Running BAME Talent Day and activities offered, followed by funding to award PgCert; plans to develop the Talent Day as an institution wide programme; people of colour in senior roles at UAL. [01:27:01] While a student at LCF selected by the designer Emanuel Ungaro to go to Paris and work with him, missed this opportunity; learning the value of time, instilling this in students. [01:31:53] Reflections on studying and working at UAL. [01:32:21] |