Leah Ratcliffe
Department of Creative Industries
Lecturer
Academic qualifications
BA (Hons), PG Cert Learning and Teaching in Vocational Subjects
I’m a Hair and Makeup Artist and Lecturer with a wealth of industry experience. My journey in the creative industries has taken me from backstage at theatre shows to high-profile shoots for campaigns for some of the best-known names in the sector. Painting the faces of celebrities, or getting the chance to photograph them, have made for real ‘pinch me’ moments. On top of lecturing, I regularly work with celebrities and global brands such as ASOS, M&S, BBC, Sony Music and ZEE TV. I also run a successful TikTok account attracting over 600,000 views per month, and my photography has been published worldwide.
My expertise spans fashion, hair and makeup, photography, visual communication, social media, and the ever-evolving world of AI. I bring this real-world knowledge to UCB, teaching modules such as Hair and Makeup for Fashion, Fashion Photography, Photoshop, Business, AI, and Social Media/Content Creation. I’m also a P.Louise Pro Artist and an Oxford Artificial Intelligence Programme graduate.
Staying connected to the industry is vital to me; it's how I ensure my students receive the most current insights and opportunities. It also offers me the chance to connect my industry contacts with UCB students at networking events. I’m always looking for new ways to offer my students real-world opportunities and the chance to collaborate with some of the leaders in this fast-paced industry.
I also love seeing my students grow, adapt, and learn from me and each other. UCB’s creative courses and facilities are second to none, and combined with our diverse student body, bring so much energy. I try to keep my sessions fun, interactive, and discussion-based, moving beyond traditional lectures to encourage students to share ideas, challenge one another, and connect what they learn to real world applications.
I believe hair, makeup, and technology are powerful tools for self-expression and social commentary, and their academic depth is often underestimated. At the highest level, these disciplines involve visual communication, symbolism, and audience understanding – all topics that require deep knowledge.