Larra Anderson

Larra Anderson is Professor and Pro Vice-Chancellor (Education) at the University of Essex, based at East 15 Acting School. She assumed leadership of the university’s education and student experience in August 2024, having joined in a designate role in November 2023. She has held significant academic leadership positions at Norwich University of the Arts, University of the Arts London, and Leeds Beckett University, focusing on screen education, creative pedagogy, and research excellence.

• BA, The Great Books Program, St. John’s College (1988)
• MFA Film Production, University of Southern California (1997)

Her research and teaching focus on screen and performance, with deep engagement in feminist, queer, and sexuality-related themes in film and television. She has led transformative educational initiatives, significantly improving student satisfaction, attainment, and employability across institutions. Her work bridges creative practice and academic leadership, emphasizing pedagogical innovation and research impact.

Her recent publications and creative outputs reflect a strong trend in practice-based research, digital creativity, and educational innovation in the arts. Projects like The Games Fusion Project and films such as Mansfield 66/67 and Hit So Hard demonstrate her interdisciplinary approach, combining filmmaking with scholarly inquiry and teaching development.

Her accolades include:

• Best Educational Initiative and Talent Development, TIGA Games Industry Awards (2019)
• Fellow of the Royal Society of Arts (FRSA)
• Senior Fellow of AdvanceHE
• Membership of the European Film Academy

Larra has successfully led REF and TEF submissions, secured major grants from OfS and AHRC, and overseen technical and capital developments in creative labs. She has supervised practice-based PhDs and remains open to new doctoral supervision in film and performance. Her leadership has driven institutional rankings upward, notably achieving a Triple Gold TEF rating and significant improvements in national league tables.

She is actively involved in academic governance and strategy, having chaired dean groups and led transitions to online education during the pandemic. Her work continues to shape the future of creative education in higher education.