The Bartlett School of Architecture has advertised for a new director to replace Bob Shiel and announced it will appoint an external agency to investigate allegations of sexual and racial discrimination raised by former students.
The advert, published on the University College London website, calls for candidates that can "demonstrate commitment to the principles of equality, diversity and inclusion".
"We are committed to equality of opportunity, to being fair and inclusive, and to being a place where we all belong," the ad states.
"We therefore particularly encourage applications from candidates currently underrepresented in UCL?s academic, research and teaching workforce."
"These include people from Black, Asian and ethnic minority backgrounds; disabled people; LGBTQ+ people; and women." Sheil's move planned before discrimination claims emerged
Sheil has been director of the Bartlett, which is part of University College London (UCL), since 2014. His second term in the role comes to an end in 2022, when he will return to his former position as a professor at the school.
Sheil's move predates the recent controversy over alleged discrimination at the school, which is regularly cited as one of the best architecture schools in the world.
"Heads of department at UCL are appointed for three to five-year terms," said a UCL spokesperson. "The current director was first appointed in 2014 and reappointed for a further four year...