GLAD's remit is to engender discussion about best practice in developing the student experience in Art, Design and Media. In particular, to promote and stimulate debate and consideration of developments in the teaching and learning of the subject.

Established in 1988, GLAD was formed by a group of people who were part of the Council for National Academic Awards (CNAA), the Council for Higher Education Art & Design (CHEAD) and the Steering Group for Teaching and Learning. They had drafted a seminal publication entitled 'On not sitting with Nellie', an article evolved from a presentation by Cal Swann, in which he argued the need to reconsider the then 'sitting with Nellie' one-to-one approach to teaching in Art & Design, in the context of increasing student numbers and reductions in staffing. Since this time, GLAD has supported colleagues across the Art, Design and Media HE sector.