IADT boss: ‘Many of the changes we have implemented during Covid-19 will stay’

David Smith, who took up the presidency of the Dún Laoghaire Institute of Art, Design and Technology at the start of the pandemic, believes the past year has forced a rethink that will benefit students in the future

David Smith, president of IADT: ‘We want to still evolve and pursue new opportunities.’ Picture: Julian Behal

When David Smith was appointed president of Dún Laoghaire Institute of Art, Design and Technology (IADT) in April last year, he had to quickly change his priorities for the start of his tenure as Covid-19 took hold of the country.

“That was an existential crisis, I’d say,” he said, referring to the rapid response required to the pandemic.

“The pedagogical priorities within art and design, or practice-led education, require access to specialist environments with specialist ...