Dr Kristin Doern

Personal statement

Since joining Bath Spa University over 20 years ago in 2001, I have been fortunate to be able to work in a variety of academic and leadership roles across the University.

I have been the Graduate Course Director for Bath Business School (December 2016), and from June 2020 to April 2021 I was the Interim Head of Bath Business School (job share with Polly Derbyshire and Diana Reader) until moving into my current role in April 2021 as Head of School for Bath School of Design.

With a background as a performer and arts manager, I have had over 30 years experience in the arts and cultural sector in both Canada and the UK – experience that continues to be relevant and applicable to everything I do at Bath Spa. Most recently, my arts, cultural and heritage management background and experience have been invaluable in relation to developing the new BA (Hons) Architecture course in ways that connect it appropriately to the School, the University, and the City of Bath’s ethos, identity and future.

I specialise in courses that are built on a foundation of strong sector engagement, both in terms of the curriculum, and also through work-based learning opportunities that enable our students to develop and expand their own professional networks, bridging the gaps between theoretical understanding, practice-based experience, and professional development.

I have created and led on the development of:

• The undergraduate Heritage programme (2009)
• The University’s first work placement module offered across all of our undergraduate provision – our first ‘open’ module (2011)
• MA Arts Management (2013)
• MBA Leadership/Senior Leader Degree Apprenticeship (2019)
• Supported the development of MA Marketing and Brand Management (2020)
• Supported the development of LLM Law and Business, and LLM Legal Foundations (Sept 2022)
• BA (Hons) Architecture (Sept 2022)

I have twice been elected by academic staff colleagues as a member of the University’s Academic Board, and was a Staff Governor from 2014–2018. I am actively involved across the University in initiatives to enhance the postgraduate student experience, international student experience, and student professional development.

Through my external and stakeholder roles, I also work across the university supporting our cultural partnerships with organisations and currently sit on the City of Bath World Heritage Site Advisory Board, the Holburne Museum's Universities Partnership Group, and I was a trustee for Bath Preservation Trust and member of their Museums and Education Committee from 2014-2018.

Academic qualifications

• PhD in History, University of Sussex
• MA in English Literature (Literary Criticism and Cultural Discourse), University of Sussex
• BA Hons in English Literature, Loughborough University
• Postgraduate Diploma in Drama, Drama Studio London
• Diploma in Musical Theatre, Sheridan College, Oakville Ontario

Professional memberships

• Association of Arts Administration Educators (AAAE)
• Museums Association UK
• Cultural Learning Alliance
• World Heritage UK
• South West Federation of Museums and Galleries
• Bath and North East Somerset Museums Group
• Cultural Forum for Bath Area