Creative careers in academia

Academics regularly encounter opportunities to work with, and be inspired by, leaders in their field and in turn inspire and impart knowledge to others worldwide. A career in higher education is worldly and transportable with academic staff regularly travelling overseas as visiting lecturers or to attend conferences.

Many creative practitioners have chosen to enter into a career in academia, as a researcher, curator or lecturer, to complement their creative practice. A university career offers sustainable, paid employment in a pleasant and supportive work environment, with opportunities to take time to pursue individual practice and research.

It also helps to fulfill the growing need for skilled and trained academics in tertiary education. A recent report, Academic Workforce Planning – Beyond 2020, commissioned by the New Zealand Vice-Chancellors' Committee, showed that 43% of the current academic workforce is over 50, with 15% over 60. As this workforce begin to retire, opportunities for employment in higher education will increase.

The first step towards entering into an academic career is to pursue postgraduate study. Explore our website to find out about our range of postgraduate programmes in Architecture, Planning and Urban Design, Dance Studies, Fine Arts, Music and Sound.

 Hear some of our current academic staff talk about their journey into a career as an academic.