Prof Rachel McLean
Liverpool Screen School
Faculty of Arts Professional and Social Studies
Email: R.McLean@ljmu.ac.uk
Telephone: 0151 231 4760
Professor Rachel McLean is Associate Pro Vice-Chancellor for the Faculty of Arts, Professional and Social Studies and Director of both Liverpool Screen School and Liverpool School of Art & Design. Rachel’s own career path reflects the eclectic range of disciplines that she leads in her current role/s. After graduating with a first degree in English Literature, she worked as a curator in the British Library’s Western Manuscripts department, and in HE Libraries before completing a PhD in electronic commerce (sponsored by United Utilities). Lecturing posts in Business, Information Systems, Digital Marketing and Creative Technology at various universities brought Rachel to her current role, in which she draws on creativity to drive forward initiatives and to inform strategic planning.
Rachel’s extensive and varied research portfolio includes international publications on application of technology in business and society, information systems, research methods and creative prototyping.
Rachel holds a number of prestigious external roles including; Member of the Liverpool City Region Combined Authority (LCRCA) Business Enterprise Board, Chair of the LCRCA Digital & Creative Cluster Board, Member of the ESRC Review College, REF 2021 panel member for UoA 34 Communication, Cultural and Media Studies, Library and Information Management. In 2016, Rachel was elected as President of the UK Academy of Information Systems (UKAIS), becoming the first woman to hold this post since the Academy was founded 25 years ago. She is also a Fellow of the Higher Education Academy (HEA).
Degrees
2004, University of Salford, United Kingdom, PhD
1990, University College London, United Kingdom, MSc Information Management
1987, PNL, United Kingdom, BA (Hons) English
Academic appointments
Peer Review College Member, UKRI ESRC, 2024 - present
Associate Pro Vice-Chancellor, Faculty of Arts, professional and Social Studies, Liverpool John Moores University, 2023 - present
REF2021 Panel Member for UoA 34 Communication, Cultural and Media Studies, Library and Information Management, HEFCE, 2019 - 2021
Professor of Digital Media, Liverpool Screen School, Liverpool John Moores University, 2016 - present
Director of Liverpool Screen School, Liverpool John Moores University, 2014 - present
Associate Dean Research, APSS, Liverpool John Moores University, 2013 - 2015
Highlighted activities
Membership of professional bodies:
UKAIS President Elect (first woman to be elected to this role), UK Academy of Information Systems, http://www.ukais.org.uk/NewsItem/NewsItem.aspx?NewsItemID=A1338641-D937-43C1-A660-53CBAE323595. 2014
Research Grants Awarded:
New Dynamics of Ageing Preparatory Networks Programme. Jointly funded by the ESRC, EPSRC, MRC, AHRC, BBSRC., Experiences and Uses of Technology in Older Age RES-351-25-000100, Judith Sixsmith. Mike Cushman, Grant value (£): 25000, Duration of research project: 12 months. 2006
Other Professional Activity:
Panel member for REF2021 UoA 34 Communication, Cultural and Media Studies, Library and Information Management..
Professional activities
Other Professional Activity:
Chair of Digital & Creative Cluster Board for the Liverpool City Region Combined Authority.. 2024
Member of the ESRC Peer Review College. 2024
Co-Investigator on £3 million bid to AHRC CoSTAR Lot 2 call. Bidding team shortlisted to attend for interview. Partners include University of Liverpool, LCC, AdLib,. 2023
Panel member for REF2021 UoA 34 Communication, Cultural and Media Studies, Library and Information Management..
External committees:
Business Enterprise Board, Liverpool City Region Combined Authority, Board Member and Chair of the Digital and Creative Cluster Board, https://www.liverpoolcityregion-ca.gov.uk/business-and-enterprise-board. 2024
Research Grants Awarded:
Office for Students, Short Courses Challenge, Sarah Haynes LJMU. Zoe Wallace Agent Academy, Grant value (£): 121,339, Duration of research project: 4 months. 2021
LJMU QR Funding, Blue Light (Emergency) Services and Social Media (BLESSM), Stephanie Janes, LJMU Research Assistant., Grant value (£): 9,000, Duration of research project: 5 months. 2016
JISC, Broadcasting Hubs, Grant value (£): 13,000, Duration of research project: 3 years. 2015
Innovate UK, Developing & Marketing Sustainable Building Services, Dr Andy Ross, Diane Marsh, Dr Fiona Borthwick, Grant value (£): £248,041, Duration of research project: 36 months. 2014
New Dynamics of Ageing Preparatory Networks Programme. Jointly funded by the ESRC, EPSRC, MRC, AHRC, BBSRC., Experiences and Uses of Technology in Older Age RES-351-25-000100, Judith Sixsmith. Mike Cushman, Grant value (£): 25000, Duration of research project: 12 months. 2006
Arts Council England and Association of Greater Manchester Authorities (AGMA), Using Smart Materials in Community Regeneration and Employability Activities, Kate Homes and Bolton@Home, Grant value (£): 16,500, Duration of research project: 12 months.
Conference organisation:
UKAIS Annual Conference, Conference Chair 2016 - 2018. I chair this annually.. 2018
International Conference on Information Systems, Track Chair on Social Media and Digital Collaborations track, http://icis2015.aisnet.org/en/paper-submissions/tracks/18-tracks/49-track-social-media. 2015
UKAIS Doctoral Consortium, Co Chair, http://www.ukais.org.uk/conference/conference2013/. 2007
Membership of professional bodies:
President of UKAIS, UKAIS (First woman in 25 years of the existence of UKAIS). 2016
Ordinary member, Chartered Institute of Management. 2015
UKAIS President Elect (first woman to be elected to this role), UK Academy of Information Systems, http://www.ukais.org.uk/NewsItem/NewsItem.aspx?NewsItemID=A1338641-D937-43C1-A660-53CBAE323595. 2014
Fellow, Higher Education Academy. 2003
Fellowships:
Fellow, HEA, http://www.heacademy.ac.uk/. 2007