Mr Martin Morris

My primary role has been leading the Process and Purpose Module (2018 - 2021) and  the Process: Technologies and Applications Module (2021 onwards), both on Level 5 of the Illustration Animation BA (Hons) (IABA) course. These Modules identify processes and theories in drawing and visual awareness and developing technologies, such as VR software. This hybrid approach to integrating processes in analogue drawing with VR technologies has been singled out for praise by external examiners and recognised by students through Kingston's Module Evaluation Questionnaire (MEQ). A key aim of module delivery is promoting diversity and inclusivity in the student experience through collaborative workshops, assessment in the form of group discussion and implementation within module delivery of a learning feedback loop, co-creation is investigated through a democratic studio practice where lecturers and students learn from and worked with each other, decentring authority in the classroom with the student and lecturer learning from each other, seeing and understanding where the other is coming from. Since taking over leadership of the Process and Purpose Module it achieved the highest Module Evaluation Questionnaire (MEQ) outcomes in the University three years running (2018/19 - 2019/20 - 2020/2021) demonstrating quality assurance and enhancement. Prior to leading these Modules on Level 5 I taught across Level 6 (2017 - 2018) leading the animation strand towards final assessment and degree recognition. During his tenure on Level 6; IABA achieved 3 nominations at the London Royal Television Society Student Awards (RTS) receiving one award in the animation category. 

I also teach into Level 4 where I designed the core approaches to drawing used across the course based on contemporary practice methodologies and art history, defining new and alternate routes of pedagogic delivery.

In recognition of the successful outcomes in the work and student experience across all levels of the course I have received three Academic Impact Awards (AIA); twice, consecutively, for Outstanding Contribution to Teaching and Learning in 2020 and 2021 and once for Most Innovative Teacher in 2021. The students, in their AIA nominations, identified inclusive learning environments that celebrated cultural influences and diverse outcomes that I have imbedded into Module delivery as a key reason for his nomination. I became a Kingston Learning and Teaching Fellow after receiving the KLTFA in 2021.

The approaches and ideas I developed and implemented across IABA have had a significant impact on the structure and delivery of the course, defining a ‘new direction and strategy' for IABA that recognises 'the changing nature of skills and related technologies (VR) required by the creative industries.' (Course Enhancement Plan 2019/20).

To support this development in course strategy and design I have organised staff development around working with methods using VR at the VR studio 'Immersive Lab' at the National Film and Television School in London as well as ongoing development through professional practice and knowledge exchange via cultural exchanges and external projects with fellow institutions and professional bodies internationally.

Qualifications and expertise

• SFHEA Senior Fellow of the Higher Education Academy
• KLTFA Kingston Learning and Teaching Fellow Award
• AIA Academic Impact Award 2019/20 Outstanding Contribution to Teaching and Learning
• AIA Academic Impact Award 2020/21 Outstanding Contribution to Teaching and Learning
• AIA Academic Impact Award 2020/21 Most Innovative Teacher
• AIA Academic Impact Award 2022/23 Most Innovative Teacher
• Royal Drawing School MA Level Post Graduate Diploma in Drawing and Painting
• MA(RCA) MA Animation Royal College of Art

Undergraduate courses taught

• Illustration Animation BA (Hons)

My research focuses on drawing, its relation to creative insight and visual development and how historical understanding and approaches to drawing can be used to place its practice in a contemporary light for the benefit of the individual or the group, whether they are within education or industry.

Over the last several years, with the use of VR technology enhanced learning (TEL) alongside drawing, my focus has been on engaging with memory recall and development of the imagination via inclusive environments and collaborative art happenings that facilitating to hidden voices to be heard. This allows the individual to see their identities and backgrounds reflected and valued leading to inclusivity and diversity becoming an integral part of the learning experience.

This research is intrinsically linked to my pedagogic practice within courses such as the BA Illustration Animation course here at Kingston, external institutions such as the RCA, NFTS and the University of Applied Arts, Vienna as well as within the creative industries including Ogilvy & Mather, the Drawing Room Gallery and The coLAB where ideas are tested and fed into one another for mutually beneficial outcomes across sectors.

Publications

Morris, M. and Molloy, P. (2019), 'The grey space in the middle: Using drawing to meet the object half way', Drawing: Research, Theory, Practice, 4:2, pp. 341-54, doi: 10.1386/drtp_00012-1

Conferences

Martin Morris and Josh Armitage (2020) - The Grey Space in the Middle: Drawing Research Forum - 6th November 2020, Drawing Room, London, UK.

Martin Morris and Paddy Molloy (2021) - The Grey Space in the Middle: Illustration Research Symposium - 2021; 12th February, Kingston University, London UK.

Martin Morris and Paddy Molloy (2021) - Pedadogy Research and Immersive Technologies; Design School Food for Thoughts:Provocations - 2021; 18th November, Kingston University, London UK.

Areas of specialism

• Drawing
• Technology Enhanced Learning (TEL)

Publications

At Kingston University I have designed and delivered drawing workshops on the BA Fine Art course, demonstrating the cross course benefits of drawing and transferable skills. Externally and through the ideas and the resulting outcomes within my pedagogic practice on IABA I have been able to instigate outward facing Knowledge Transfer opportunities, designing, delivering and advising on residencies with curatorial arts organisation The coLab and contemporary London gallery Drawing Room. I also co-designed Knowledge Exchange opportunities with the Drawing Room and the MA Animation course at the Royal College of Art in a cross course project in 2019.

Other Knowledge Exchange collaborations include a 'Pen Pals' project during pandemic lockdown with the Animation course at Rhode Island School of Design (RISD) USA, to attempt to support mental wellbeing and allow students to develop personal relationships with fellow artists internationally toward countering feelings of isolation and anxiety during the pandemic lockdown. Students recognised that until the Pen Pals project it had 'been difficult to communicate with students outside the course' and it had allowed students to make new external connections 'broadening the community especially right now in Covid'. Other Cultural Exchanges include those with the Animation course at the University of Applied Arts in Vienna where my pedagogic delivery using drawing and VR ‘Dissolved the blockades that stand in the way of progress' - Head of Animation, Vienna

I also developed and set up links with the Moscow School of Contemporary Art in Russia. Out of this a collaboration between IABA at Kingston and the Illustration course in Moscow took place in 2021 and links have also been set up between the Fine Art courses at both Kingston and Moscow.

Case Studies 

Martin Morris (2021) - Encouraging and Embracing Diverse Student Outcomes, The Arts and Humanities, Creating an Accessible Curriculum, Kingston University https://canvas.kingston.ac.uk/courses/311/pages/embracing-diverse-student-outcomes

Professional and scholarly affiliations

• Drawing Room Gallery, London
• The CoLab, London
• NFTS Directing Animation Advisory Panel, london
• University of Applied Arts, Vienna, Austria
• RISD Rhode island School of Design, Animation, USA
• Moscow School of Contemporary Art, Moscow, Russia