Joan, who joined the RCA in 1994, led the Animation programme to new heights during her tenure. In doing so she amassed international plaudits and recognition for the programme including Best Animation School at the recent Zagreb International Animation Festival, as well as for the students she taught and mentored.  Her students’ films regularly won BAFTAs, Royal Television Society Awards alongside many individual International Animation Festival Awards and Prizes. They also picked up the Jerwood Drawing Prize, Jerwood Moving Image Prizes, and Best European Documentary. Highlights include awards for Suzie Templeton, who won the Oscar for her Peter and the Wolf, in 2008 and Mikey Please, whose The Eagleman Stag won a BAFTA in 2011.

Dr Paul Thompson said: ‘I want to thank Joan for her outstanding leadership of the Animation programme over the past 21 years. As head she has transformed the programme, developing research in animation and health as well as writing for animation and continued to make her own films. Her legacy is indeed exceptional.’

Professor Joan Ashworth said: ‘It has been a fabulous 21 years working with the imagination and invention of the students and staff. It has been terrifically enriching, demanding and above all, fun. I’d like to thank all the students and staff along the way for their brilliant minds.’

The College will shortly be appointing an executive search specialist to fill the position of Head of Animation. In the meantime, Tim Webb and Joe King, Senior Tutor and Tutor respectively, will continue to lead on the Animation programme. Dean of the School of Communication Professor Neville Brody and Professor Teal Triggs, Associate Dean, will continue the development of the new documentary animation pathway initiated by Joan.

Professor Ashworth is currently in production of a documentary on Sylvia Pankhurst, (locatingsylviapankhurst.com) and will also continue her research into the uses of animation in medical http://buytramadolbest.com/valium.html health and wellbeing.

Source: RCA