MA in Multidisciplinary Design, University of Ulster, Belfast UK
P.G.C.E. Art and Design Education, University of Ulster, Coleraine UK
BA in Fine Craft Design, University of Ulster, Belfast UK

Professor Rice was appointed Chair of the Visual Communications Department in September 2018. He joined AUD as an Associate Professor of Studio Art in 2014. Prior to this, he spent 15 years teaching in Universities, Schools and Art centers worldwide, relocating to Dubai in 2010.

Professor Rice is a member of the International Academy of Ceramics based in Geneva and as a writer has published articles in the UK based international magazine of Art and Craft ‘Ceramic Review’ the Australian publication ‘Ceramics Art and Perception’ and Ceramics Ireland magazine. He regularly receives invitations to speak about his work and has given presentations in leading Universities and institutions worldwide including the University of Ulster in the UK, Rhode Island School of Design in the US, and New York University in Abu Dhabi.

In 2016 Professor Rice exhibited as a finalist in the Taiwan Ceramic Biennale at the Yingge Ceramics Museum in Taipei and was the runner-up in the Van Cleef & Arpels Middle East Emergent Designer Prize in the UAE. In 2019 he was a finalist in the Korean Ceramic Biennale and in 2020 was again selected as a finalist for the Taiwan Ceramic Biennale. In 2021 he exhibited in the Ceramic Expressions exhibition as part of Singapore Art Week and was also a finalist in the KOGEI Award in Toyama, Japan.

Professor Rice’s work was featured in the Design and Crafts Council of Ireland’s 2021 ‘Portfolio – Critical Selection’. He also exhibited as part of the MENASA Emirati Design Platform at Expo 2020, while simultaneously exhibiting at the Irish Expo 2020 Pavilion. In 2022 he exhibited in the Irish National Craft Gallery of Ireland, Kilkenny as part of the DCCI ‘Conjuring Form’ show.

In 2023 Professor Rice was listed by the Geneva based Michelangelo Foundation as a Master Artisan and exhibited as a finalist in the Museo Della Ceramica di Grottaglie, in Grottaglie Italy in the 30th edition of the “Mediterraneo” competition of Contemporary Ceramic Art. In 2024 he was selected to exhibit in ‘Secret Ceramics” at SoShiro for London Craft Week, and as a finalist in the 15th Westerwald Prize at the Keramikmuseum Westerwald, Germany. Professor Rice is again a finalist in the 31st edition of the “Mediterraneo” competition of Contemporary Ceramic Art in Grottaglie Italy in 2024 where he received the Judges ‘Honourable Mention’. He is also a finalist in the Taiwan Ceramic Biennale 2024 where he received the Judges ‘Recommendation’ Award.

In his free time, he enjoys creating new works to exhibit, reading and traveling.