Caroline Thraves
Background
Caroline is Academic Director for Art and Media, leading Swansea College of Art (UWTSD). Swansea College of Art is ranked by the Guardian League Table 2025 within the top 15 for Art and Design Education within the UK with a significant number of subjects ranking first in Wales.
Caroline has worked in Academia for 25 years, initially teaching Fashion and Textiles. She holds a PGCE, BA and MA in Post Compulsory Education and an MSc in Management. Caroline is a Senior Fellow of the Higher Education Academy (HEA) and an Institute of Leadership and Management Coach. In 2019 Caroline was awarded Welsh Woman of the Year for Services to Education and in the same year a Sunday Times Rising Star Award for Education and Academia. In 2009 Caroline had the privilege of being invited to a reception at Buckingham Palace to meet the Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh for her contribution to the British Clothing Industry.
Specialist Subjects
- Art and Design
Professional and/or Research Experience
• EU Interreg Catalyst - Welsh Gov (2020)
• EU Interreg ACT – Welsh Gov (2015)
• EU A4B Textile Technologies KTC – Welsh Gov (2010)
• EU K.E.F Training Development – Welsh Gov (2007)
• EU K.E.F The Shared Technology Resource Centre – Welsh Gov (2005)
Qualifications
- HND Fashion Marketing
- BA and MA in Post Compulsory Education
- PGCE
- MSc in Management
Languages Spoken
Professional Membership or Roles
External Recognition or Rewards
• Sunday Times Rising Star Award for Academia (2019)
• Colegau Cymru Award finalist for Delivering HE in FE (2012)
• Invited to meet HRH The Queen at Buckingham Palace for Contribution to the British Clothing Industry (2009)
• Swansea Bay Woman of the Year finalist (2009)
• Fforum Awards finalist (2007)