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. He 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.

His work has garnered significant international recognition. In 2025, he was featured in the London Craft Week 'Secret Ceramics' show, exhibited and auctioned at Christie’s, London. He was selected as a finalist for the 17th International Biennale of Artistic Ceramics in Aveiro, Portugal; the Martinsons Award at the Latvian Ceramics Biennale in the Rothko Museum, Daugavpils; and the Korean Craft Biennale in the Cheongju International Craft Competition, where his piece 'Sea Blue Coral Vessel' earned a Judges’ Honorable Mention. He was also chosen to exhibit in the Michelangelo Foundation’s inaugural INTERWOVEN Homo Faber capsule exhibition in Seville, Spain.

In 2024, he received an Honorable Mention at the 30th Mediterraneo International Ceramic Art Competition at the Museo del la Ceramica in Grottaglie, Italy; was selected as a finalist in the 15th Westerwald Prize at the Keramikmuseum Westerwald, Germany, and won the Judges’ Recommendation Award at the Taiwan Ceramic Biennale. He also exhibited in Secret Ceramics at SoShiro during London Craft Week.

In 2023, he was named a Master Artisan by the Geneva-based Michelangelo Foundation and was a finalist in the 30th Mediterraneo International Ceramic Art Competition at the 30th Mediterraneo edition in Italy.

Notable international exhibitions in 2022 included Conjuring Form at the National Design & Craft Gallery, Kilkenny. In 2021, his work was included in Ceramic Expressions during Singapore Art Week and shortlisted for the KOGEI Award in Toyama, Japan. The same year, he was selected for the Design & Crafts Council of Ireland’s Portfolio: Critical Selection and exhibited in both the MENASA Emirati Design Platform and the Irish Pavilion at Expo 2020 Dubai.

Earlier accolades include being a finalist in the 2019 Korean Ceramic Biennale and returning as a finalist at the Taiwan Ceramic Biennale in 2020. In 2016, he was a finalist in the Taiwan Ceramic Biennale and runner-up in the Van Cleef & Arpels Middle East Emergent Designer Prize.

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