Celebrating my UCL recognition of Academic Excellence as NSEAD President

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Each year University College London (UCL) hold a reception to celebrate the achievements of UCL staff who obtained major external awards and recognitions during the previous calendar year. I was delighted to receive an invitation in this very special 200th anniversary year, in recognition of my role and work as President of the National Society for Education in Art and Design (NSEAD). As I pass the mid-term of my presidency, I reflect on this role and our community. 

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Established in 1826, UCL was founded on a radical idea: education for all, regardless of religion or social background. Two centuries later, UCL is celebrating the enduring legacy of academic excellence. NSEAD founded in 1888, shares this belief – that access to outstanding art education is a right, not a privilege.

Being recognised by UCL for my presidency is personal achievement, but it is also much more: it reflects the collective effort of the NSEAD community. As the 103rd President of the Society, I have the privilege of working with teachers, lecturers, museum and gallery educators and students, all striving to promote, protect and empower our profession while advancing access to excellence in art and design education. This recognition highlights the impact of our shared commitment to nurturing creativity, cultural understanding, and critical thinking across schools and universities. 

My role as NSEAD President

Being president of NSEAD has been an incredible privilege. The Society supports thousands of art educators across the UK and beyond, offering resources, publications, professional development and advocacy. We are a community grounded in shared values. During my presidency, we have been focusing on several key priorities that that are worth celebrating: 

Strengthening professional development: In 2024, the Special Interest Group for Better Practice launched The Big Landscape – the NSEAD curriculum toolkit, which now also shares best practice in its 'Curriculum in Action' case studies.

In 2024, together with Peter Carr, we edited A Practical Guide to Teaching Art and Design in the Secondary School, published by Routledge (2024). We were grateful to all authors, many being NSEAD members.

In 2025, after two years of research involving nearly 30 art educators, we launched the Oak/NSEAD Art & Design Curriculum; and we continue to develop online courses for the evolving needs of art and design teachers.

Promoting equity in art and design education: We are developing regional partnerships with schools and cultural institutions across the UK. Special interest groups continue to meet, working on and sharing practice in AD magazine, the International Journal of Art & Design Education (iJADE) and the Art Educator Blog.

Advocating for art education since 1888: I have spoken and represented NSEAD in discussions with advisory boards, including The Superpower of Looking and The Visualise Report (2024), calling for change and supporting art and design subjects in schools and universities.

We have also launched the NSEAD Archive Online which is filled with evidence of 138 years of art, craft and design education publications, campaigns and advocacy.

Supporting and protecting our community: Our TU case work has grown. I have observed how as a union we provide both general and specialist knowledge, ensuring we can give 360-degree legal support for our members. We are also expanding our regional network to connect educators, share best practices, and celebrate achievements locally, regionally, in the UK and Europe.

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The importance of our Art Educator community

As a community, we often face challenges such as limited resources, undervaluation of art, craft and design, and pressure to focus on core academic subjects. UCL’s recognition of my presidency, shifts this narrative by:

• Validating the importance of art and design education:  It affirms that leadership and innovation in art and design teaching are valued at the highest academic levels.
• Inspiring and investing in people: The forthcoming NSEAD Awards also recognise how vital it is to access training and skills.
• Raising subject awareness:  Celebrating achievements in art and design education encourages schools and policymakers to invest more in creative subjects.

For those of us dedicated to nurturing creativity, UCL’s recognition is a reminder that our work matters, and art education has a lasting impact. 

Looking ahead: continuing to support art and design education

At the start of January 2027, I will move into the role of NSEAD Immediate-Past President, but our priorities will not stop: securing equity of opportunity for all; championing a learner-centred future-facing curriculum; and ensuring our workforce is valued, nurtured and diverse.

I encourage all art and design educators to get involved or join NSEAD: share your successes with and beyond community, and advocate for the creative subjects that enrich our schools and communities.

And finally,

NSEAD and UCL share a long-standing connection – NSEAD’s offices were based in Gordon Square from 1921 to 1944, on the site UCL now occupies. Today, that history lives on in NSEAD’s archives, with boxes of minutes, notes and photographs documenting decades of dedicated members, Councils and past presidents who have tirelessly championed art and design education.

Being NSEAD President is a role made possible by the commitment and passion of art and design educators, past and present. The UCL Recognising Academic Excellence event reflected the value of our subject and the vital role members play in shaping creative, critical, and confident learners and citizens of the future.

We are certainly stronger – and most influential – together. Your membership and support make the difference: ensuring our collective voice is heard, our profession is protected, and art and design education can thrive. 

Find out more about University College London's 200th Anniversary

About the author

Andy Ash is the 103rd President of NSEAD and an artist, teacher and researcher.

Andy is an experienced Artist and Associate Professor with a demonstrated history of working in the higher education industry. He has strong education professional skills in Contemporary Art, Art Education, Galleries & Museums, Lecturing, Research and ITE. He is a member of the Red Herring Studio Group in Portslade. He served as the InSEA European Regional Council Chair until 2024.

Images

Image 1 (Header): Andy Ash at the UCL recepetion, wearing the NSEAD President's chain of office. (11 March 2026)

Image 2 (Left): Andy Ash (right) and Professor Geraint Rees, UCL Vice-Provost (Research, Innovation & Global Engagement) (second from left), plus guests at the reception. Photo credit: Ondre Roach/UCL. (11 March 2026)

Image 3 (Right): Professor Geraint Rees (right) and Andy Ash (front row, second from right), plus guests at the reception. Photo credit: Ondre Roach/UCL. (11 March 2026)

Image 4: NSEAD President's chain of office (2026).