We’re delighted to introduce Ian Tucknott, our Head of School for Humanities and Sciences.
We caught up with Ian to find out more about his role at City Lit and the importance of adult education today.
Can you tell me a bit about yourself and your role here at City Lit?
"I have worked at City Lit for over twelve years now, as a teacher on a number of visual arts and art history courses and as leader in visual arts and now humanities.
In my current role as Head of School for Humanities and Sciences, I work with the wonderful teams across psychology and counselling, health and wellbeing, writing, history and politics, science and culture and humanities, and also our access to higher education diploma. Quite a lot going on here! But that’s the joy of the role, and a testament to the breadth of learning available at City Lit. If you want to learn it, we probably teach it (and if we don’t, let us know and we’ll see what we can do!)"
What do you consider to be your favourite part of your job?
"Learning. Whether that is talking with students, observing classes, learning from colleagues, or finding ways to make things better and enhance all that we do, learning is the thing that motivates me and I am sure many of my colleagues will agree with that. Even when I teach, it’s not enjoyable unless I’m learning something at the same time, and one of the joys of working with such a diverse bunch of people on our courses is that as a teacher you discover so much - about people’s lives, their perspective on the world, or the wisdom they have that I don’t, and this is the most rewarding thing."
What should students expect from studying at City Lit?
"Students should expect to be welcomed as part of a community, and share in their learning with others. The best learning experience we deliver, I believe, is when we all feel a part of something, and able to learn, contribute, listen and share our gifts with each other. Of course, students should expect to gain from the expertise of our excellent teachers as well, and the way they design, deliver and facilitate such learning. On the other hand, I also hope we can exceed some expectations – our students often say that they gained much more than they were expecting, so maybe it is also good to put aside expectations sometimes and be open to learning things or gaining skills and knowledge you never expected."
If you were to do any course at City Lit, what course would you do?
"It would have to be a singing course, but my voice is terrible! I once talked to a student in the lift about this, and he told me that if you can breathe you can sing. That was encouraging, but remains to be seen whether anyone would want to listen!
I’d also like to study counselling, as I believe the skills you learn here are contemporary ‘key skills’ that we should all have – the ability to properly listen, and expanding our capacities for understanding ourselves and other people. I could go on, as I’d also like to do more yoga, learn about Greek Gods, write a novel… there’s too much, and not enough time!"
Is there any advice you would give to someone who is thinking about studying at City Lit?
"I suggest putting aside expectations of what adult learning is first of all. Many people I speak to often say they want to know or be able to do something, but that ‘adult education’ isn’t for them. Some had negative learning experiences at school, and this can really hold you back. Adult learning is for everybody, and everybody is welcome – just ask for advice, find the right course for you, and go for it. If you look at all the published writers, trained counsellors, artists, performers, musicians, and academics who have spent time in our classrooms then, you never know, it might just change your life too! But it doesn’t just have to be about this, simply learning something you didn’t know or couldn’t do before is one of the greatest rewards in itself – learning enriches the soul and, if you ask me, is the true key to happiness."
