Director of The Arts Institute
Rupert leads a dynamic team working at the intersection of research, education, knowledge exchange, and civic engagement in the Faculty of Arts, Humanities and Business. Under his leadership, the team plays a vital role in supporting staff, students, business, and community partners to co-create impactful projects. Central to Rupert's approach is a belief in the transformational power of placemaking - using creative collaboration to foster positive change.

Strategic Leadership and Development
Rupert's leadership helps to deliver the Faculty’s vision of enabling people and places to thrive, and mission to work in partnership to drive social, cultural, educational, and economic prosperity. 

Working alongside other senior leaders including the Executive Dean, Associate Deans for Research, Education and Student Experience and Internationalisation, and regional partners, Rupert plays a crucial role in identifying strategic development priorities and advancing projects that deliver world-class research and meaningful collaborations with businesses and the wider community.

His responsibilities include overseeing the development of institutional and regional growth plans and strategies, coordinating complex collaborative bids, driving forward commercialisation and knowledge mobilisation efforts for Faculty research in the SHAPE* disciplines, and spearheading the University’s Arts and Cultural Programme.

* Social Sciences, Humanities, and the Arts for People and the Economy

Partnership and Collaboration
With extensive experience in building strategic partnerships, Rupert has enhanced the Faculty's reputation and broadened research opportunities. His expertise in securing diverse funding - from a range of sources including EU grants, UK Research and Innovation, and regional innovation funds - has substantially increased Faculty resources and capabilities.

Recent Projects and Initiatives
Rupert has made significant contributions to several transformative creative economy projects:

For further information on all of these projects, please visit The Bridge.

Expertise and Interests
Rupert brings a unique blend of expertise to his role, with a passion for strategic thinking, negotiation, game theory, change management, and philosophy. His intellectual curiosity and strong entrepreneurial background enable him to approach challenges with creativity and insight. As a founder and manager of several independent start-ups, Rupert understands the practical aspects of business innovation.

Mentorship and Professional Development
Drawing on his experience as a Chartered Manager and SFEDI Accredited Business Advisor, Rupert mentors a diverse range of entrepreneurs and students. His guidance helps cultivate the next generation of leaders, enhancing their potential and contributing to the vitality of the community and creative sectors.

Advocacy for Artificial Intelligence
As an enthusiastic advocate for Artificial Intelligence and its transformative potential across fields as diverse as education, business and society, Rupert has published articles and delivered keynote presentations, webinars and workshops on the use of AI for organisations, students and networks. He has also initiated a series of Lunchtime Learning sessions on Responsible AI, aimed at educating Faculty staff about AI's potential, ethical considerations, and practical integration into academic disciplines.

Recent speaking and training engagements include the Association of Research Managers and Administrators (ARMA UK), the Association of Directors of Environment, Economy, Planning and Transport (ADEPT), Devon & Plymouth Chamber of Commerce, Cornwall Chamber of Commerce, numerous Local Authorities and the University's Teaching & Learning Showcase 2024.

Rupert's role as a Collaboration Champion for the National Centre for Academic and Cultural Exchange (NCACE) allows him to facilitate meaningful partnerships between higher education institutions and external organisations, enhancing knowledge exchange and cultural engagement.

Recent engagements including being profiled in NCACE’s Leadership in Cultural Knowledge Exchange report, chairing a panel on Collaboration, Digital Inclusion and Creative Empowerment at the NCACE Tech for Social Good event, and participating in a workshop jointly hosted by NCACE and the Centre for Creativity Enabled by AI (CebAI) exploring the transformative potential of AI to help address some of the most pressing challenges facing the arts and cultural sector - spanning strategy, business models, governance and creative problem-solving.  

University Engagement
Active in various university committees, including:

Through these fora, Rupert works with colleagues to drive innovation, shape policies and initiatives, foster partnerships, and contribute to the strategic development and continuous improvement of both the Faculty and the University.

MPhil Engineering
Research investigation carried out part-time to develop a best-practice framework for the implementation of Advanced Manufacturing Technologies (AMTs) within Low-Technology-Enabled Small & Medium-sized Enterprises (LTESMEs).

BSc (Hons) Marine Sports Technology
Awarded First Class Honours. This course was developed in response to demand from the Marine Engineering Sector and included a range of relevant modules spanning business and enterprise, design, manufacturing and composites. 

SFEDI Accredited Business Advisor
The SFEDI Endorsed Award for Business Advisors is based on the candidate’s ability to help small business owners assess, develop and improve through both changes to the business and themselves.

CMI Chartered Manager Award
The Chartered Manager Award is based on the candidate’s ability to demonstrate: a record of Continuous Professional Development (CPD), the practical application of Leadership and Change Management skills to achieve significant ‘Business Impact’, as well as the ability to articulate these competencies at a panel interview.

CMI NVQ Level 4 Management
I have been a member of the Chartered Management Institute (MCMI) since 2006.

This course demystifies AI for both non-technical and technical professionals, covering essential AI concepts, practical applications, and the ethical considerations of using AI in business. Completed Jan 2021.

For further information, please visit: www.linkedin.com/in/rupertlorraine