The Courtauld launches search for new faculty positions in Buddhist Art History and Conservation

The Courtauld is seeking applicants for two new positions in Buddhist Art History and in Conservation, made possible by a generous endowment in 2012 from the Robert H. N. Ho Family Foundation which established the Robert H. N. Ho Family Foundation Centre for Buddhist Art and Conservation at The Courtauld.

The Courtauld is seeking to appoint one lecturer or senior lecturer in the art of the Buddhist world, who will contribute to its BA History of Art programme and play a leading role in the new MA in Buddhist Art and Conservation. At the same time, The Courtauld is also seeking to appoint a lecturer or senior lecturer in conservation with specialism(s) in Buddhist and/or Asian art, who will contribute to the MA in Conservation of Wall Paintings and play a leading role in The Courtauld’s new MA in Buddhist Art and Conservation. The positions will also undertake research, supervise research students, and participate in our thriving research community.

Joining a permanent faculty of 35 academics, the new posts build on The Courtauld’s work to develop and enrich its curriculum, research and public engagement. The new faculty members will have an important role in transforming teaching and research, as part of the organisation’s long-term strategy to fortify its global academic reach. These new positions follow on from two recent appointments in the field of Modern and Contemporary art with a specialism in critical race, Black studies, the arts of Africa and its diasporas, and build on appointments in the fields of Islamic Middle Eastern, West Asian and East Asian arts, and the creation of the Centre for American Art. They come at a time when The Courtauld undergraduate degree is being relaunched with significant updates to ensure it better reflects art history as a global discipline.

The MA in Buddhist Art History and Conservation is a new 12-month programme, hosted at the Robert H. N. Ho Family Foundation Centre for Buddhist Art and Conservation at The Courtauld. It aims to provide a comprehensive grounding in Buddhist art history and theoretical aspects of conservation. Taught by leading specialists in Conservation and Buddhist Art, the MA will address issues of art history preservation — through appreciation, continuing use and conservation — of the vast heritage of Buddhist art worldwide, drawing on key sites where The Courtauld has been involved in conservation.

This autumn, the Asia Cluster of faculty, in collaboration with the Robert H.N. Ho Family Foundation Centre for Buddhist Art and Conservation, will be convening a series of events through the Research Forum exploring the current field of Buddhist art history and conservation and its future at The Courtauld.

Professor Deborah Swallow, Märit Rausing Director at The Courtauld, said: “These roles will continue to transform The Courtauld’s areas of teaching and research, and play a role in our continuing efforts to decentre and decolonise the curriculum. I would like to thank the Ho Foundation, whose generous grant has enabled us to invest in these posts.”

The Courtauld invites applications from those at any post-doctoral (or equivalent) career stage and encourage applications from early career scholars, as well as senior scholars with outstanding track records in research leadership, publication, curriculum design and/or reform, teaching and academic administration.

Applications for the position will close on 15 October 2021. The Courtauld warmly welcomes applicants from all backgrounds, including those through the Skilled Workers Route, where we may be able to provide sponsorship to work in the UK if relevant conditions are met.

For more information, and to apply for the posts, please visit: https://jobs.courtauld.ac.uk/