Dr Jenny Owen

I am currently Head of the School of Arts and Social Sciences at LSBU. I gained my PhD at the University of Westminster (Crisis or Renewal? The origins, evolution and development of public service broadcasting in Britain, 1922-1996) and I have played a central part in the development of the undergraduate and postgraduate curriculum in the former School of Arts & Creative Industries as well as its research and enterprise activities. During my academic career I've been a course director, a head of department, an Associate Dean of Education and Student Experience, and more recently Interim Dean of the School.

My subject specialism is in the field of Media and Cultural Studies/broadcasting history and policy. I am currently supervising a PhD thesis that focuses on women/gender and diversity in the television industry. I am very focused on the student experience and my most recent research focused on the pedagogical challenges and virtues of Education Abroad programmes with their focus on developing positive values of diversity and cosmopolitanism in higher education. My pedagogy has also always focused on ensuring that students graduate with the skills and competencies that will ensure they have successful creative or enterpreneurial careers.  
In terms of enterprise I have been a lead Supervisor (2008-10) with a Knowledge Transfer Project (KTP) in association with London-based Key20/Tracc Films. This project was graded outstanding on completion. The project developed out of Tracc Films' need to develop a new business strategy for their film business, The KTP allowed them to create their own post-production facility and reduce costs through less reliance on third party suppliers/outsourcing of post-production.
As Associate Dean in the former School of Arts & Creative Industries I supported a programme of student enhancement that included study abroad opportunities in the USA, Canada and Australia, as well as study tours/visits to film festivals and charettes. Undergraduate curricula continue to include multiple opportunities for students to develop their CVs by engaging with a variety of creative industries, including the annual Festival of Creativity which encompasses end of year shows for film students at the British Film Institute and a season of live productions by acting students. As a result many students and graduates are award winners (Royal Television Society and the International Youth Arts Festival) to name just a few.