Dr Mark Cocks PHD, MA, BA, PGCE, FHEA

Dean (Interim)  Resources. Particular responsibilities include Faculty finance, staffing, H&S, marketing and recruitment.

University roles include Swansea Academic Staff member at University Council, alternate Chair of the University Extenuating Circumstances Panel, University Appeal & Complaint Panels and representing the Faculty at Senate, the University Staff Development, International and Marketing Committees.

• Assistant Dean Quality, Faculty of Art & Design: Swansea Metropolitan University (SMU) (2011 – 2013)
• Head of School of Photography, Video & Visual Communication: SMU (2010 – 2013)
• Head of School of Photography & Video: SMU (2004 – 2010)
• Research Director: Moving Image Wales  (MIW) (2009 - 2012)
• Research Director: CIRIC (Creative Industries Research & innovation Centre) (2007- 08)
• Head of Photography: SMU (2003 – 2008)
• Programme Director - BA (Hons) Photography In The Arts: Swansea Institute of Higher Education (SIHE) (2000-2007)
• Senior Lecturer (0.5) -BA (Hons) Photography In The Arts: SIHE (1998-2000)
• Lecturer (part-time) - BA (Hons) Photography In The Arts: SIHE (1997/98)
• Lecturer (part-time) - ND Photography, City & Guilds:  Swansea College  (1996/97)
• Photography Technical Demonstrator:Hereford College of Art & Design (1996/97)

• Association of Photography in Higher Education
• (Executive Committee member and Honorary Secretary 2011-2014)
• CHEAD Business Forum

Key academic interests concern contemporary photographic practice and art & design pedagogy.

Current teaching comprises lecturing on BA (Hons) Photography In The Arts and Photojournalism programmes and supervising final year art & design dissertations.

PhD titled ‘Analogue Light & Digital Shadows: A Critical Inquiry into the pedagogy of Photography investigates the impact of the transition from analogue to digital photographic technology on the learning and teaching of the subject within higher education. The thesis deployed Experiential Learning theory as a pedagogic framework from which to consider how contemporary ‘digital native’ students respond to opportunities to engage with traditional photographic practice.

Additional research interests include emerging digital photographic aesthetics, investigating ‘the photographic’, the learning & teaching space within art & design and the critique as assessment.

Full research profile

Academic expertise comprises photographic pedagogy, art & design management, learning & teaching, and quality assurance. External consultant roles include:

External Examiner: 

BA (Hons) Cultural Studies & Creative Industries and BA (Hons) Media, Communications & Screen Studies - UEL (2010-2014)
BA (Hons) Professional Photographic Imaging (Reading) and BA (Hons) Photography & Digital Imaging (Ealing) – TVU (2006-2009)

Invited Chair of Validation Events:

MA Fine & Applied Arts - Hereford College of Arts (2013)
Foundation degree in 3D computer Animation - Gower College (2012)

Invited External validation panel member:

FdA Photography – New College Swindon – University of Gloucestershire (2008)
FdA Photographic Practice – The Arts Institute Bournemouth (2008)
University Subject Panel Representative for External Validation Event - BA (Hons) Art, Design & Media Modular Degree Programme - UWCN (2001)
External Examiner for Internal Validation Event - BA (Hons) Art, Design & Media Modular Degree Programme – UWCN (2001)

• Ffotogallery Board of Management (2010-2012)
• Future Directions for HE in Wales: Learning for Employment Steering Group: The Higher Education Academy (2010 - 2012)
• Regional Creative Industries Provider Network:Regional Learning Partnership - South West Wales (2012)
• Audiences Wales Discussion Group (2009)

Commercial photographic work includes commissions from:

• Penguin Books
• Vintage
• Hodder & Stoughton
• Harper-Collins
• Faber & Faber
• Routledge
• Virgin Records
• The Independent On Sunday Review
• The Sunday Times Magazine
• The Sunday Telegraph Magazine
• The New Scientist Magazine
• Country Living
• Nursing Times

• The Big Issue
• The Pencil Box Design Group
• Omni Communications
• Waterstones
• (Represented by Millennium Images Ltd, London)

Future Directions for Higher Education in Wales - Learning for Employment:

The Higher Education Academy (2012) 

The Enduring Fragility of Chemicals and the Software Aesthetic: Photographies (2009)

Unreliable Truths - Transformation and Illusion in Contemporary Photographic Practice: Glynn Vivian Gallery (2008)

The Vetch Field - the Final Season: CLASI (2005)

'Paradise Park': Seren (2000)