PHD APPLICATION

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Application process

MPhil application proposal guidelines

PhD research proposal guidelines

UoP suggested reading list

APPLICATION PROCESS

1. Form

The online PhD application form can be found >> here.

Deadline: Rolling admissions, program begins with the summer residency.

2. MPhil application proposal

Candidates who wish to apply for enrollment into the PhD Programme must develop and present a research proposal. Transart is particularly keen on encouraging proposals that in the widest sense explore space and inhabitation of space, the archive, documentary art making, language/image, software studies, network culture, performance and the role of art in peace, mediation and international relations. The proposal should demonstrate systematic study, independence, critical competence and originality. It should include a record of the 'practice' element and also serve to contextualize the practice intellectually while clearly demonstrating its contribution to knowledge.

3. Letter of interest

Your letter should discuss past and present creative work and should also briefly outline what you are interested in exploring (both conceptually and materially) while doing postgraduate study.

4. 4.Artist statement
   

What are themes and interests which guide your practice? How you would like it to develop? How do you see it in relation to contemporary culture? (300-600 words)

5. >> Email

- Research proposal

- Letter of interest

- Letters of reference (2)

- Curriculum vitae

1. -Academic transcripts or diplomas
   

6. Documentation of your creative work

Submit documentation of your recent artistic practice by web link in the online form.

7.  Interview

Upon receipt of the application, a Skype or phone interview will be scheduled with two members of the admissions board. Interviews last approximately thirty minutes. You should be prepared to discuss the preliminary overview of the research that you have outlined in your letter of interest. This is an opportunity to ask questions about the program as well. The admissions board consists of four faculty including at least one UoP liaison.

8. Outcome

Applicants will receive notification by email within two weeks of the interview.

MPHIL PROPOSAL GUIDELINES

Proposals: Transart is particularly keen on encouraging proposals that in the widest sense explore space and inhabitation of space, the archive, documentary art making, language/image, software studies, network culture, performance and body based experience as well as the role of art in peace, mediation and international relations. The proposal should demonstrate systematic study, independence, critical competence and originality. It should include a record of the 'practice' element and also serve to contextualize the practice intellectually while clearly demonstrating its contribution to knowledge.

Proposal guidance:

1. Give the working title of the PhD project (12 words maximum)

2. Introduction: Briefly outline the work you have done leading up to your proposal and state why you consider it relevant for practice-based research. What are the issues under consideration, what are your intentions and expectations and how much room is there for change with external influences and results from your research?

3. Research question and aims: Formulate a concrete, interrogative question that encompasses what you will be researching with your PhD project. What will be the focus of your research? What will be your contribution to knowledge? Be rather overly clear than too vague as question and aims of your research can be subject to modification as you progress.

4. Methodology: Outline how you will make your project a systematic study on the issues at hand and what research methods you plan on applying.

5. Context: Give a short narration of which theories, artists, and other sources are important to your PhD project and why.

6. Output: Outline what you plan on producing as "practice" output (website, exhibition, film, interventions, etc.) and attach relevant visual or written documentation.

7. Summary: Outline your entire PhD project in 200-300 words. (PDF Form RDC.1)

8. 8.Advisor: Give first, second and third choice for your primary advisor from Transart Institute as listed here.
   

PHD PROPOSAL GUIDELINES

Transfer from MPhil to PhD is made through advisors after one year with the completion of the transfer process. (Transart MFA degree applicants may apply directly.

The confirmation of route process involves a report by the candidate (6,000 words) detailing:

- a literature review (an annotated bibliography reflecting an overview of your research area)

- description of methods or 2 or 3 draft chapters or draft research paper;

- a statement of progress against the project Gantt chart >> example

- the originality and contribution to knowledge that the project will make;

- the specific and generic research training undertaken so far and

1. -details of any planned future training.
   

Recommended reading from University of Plymouth

An initial artistic research reading list:

E. Barrett, E and Bolt, B (2010) [2007] (eds) Practice as Research: Approaches to Creative Arts Enquiry, London and New York: I.B. Tauris

Biggs, M and Karlsson, H Routledge (2010) (eds) Companion to Research in the Arts, New York and London: Routledge

Collier, J and Collier, M (1986) Visual Anthropology: Photography as a Research Method, Albuquerque: University of New Mexico Press (revised and expanded edition)

Elkins, J (2009) (Ed.) Artists with PhDs: On the new Doctoral Degree in Studio Art, Washington DC: New Academia Publishing

Hannula, M. (2005) 'The Responsibility and Freedom of Interpretation' in Miles, M. (ed.) New Practices, New Pedagogies: a Reader, London and New York: Routledge

Hannula, M., Suoranta J. and Vadén, T. (2005) Artistic Research: Theories, Methods and Practices, Helsinki and Gothenburg: Academy of Fine Arts Helsinki and University of Gothenburg

Hannula, M. (2008) ‘Catch Me if You Can’ in Talkin’ Loud & Sayin’ Something: Four Perspectives of Artistic Research, Art Monitor: A Journal of Artistic Research, No 4

Leavy, P (2009) Method Meets Art: Arts-based Research Practice,  New York and London: The Guilford press

Macleod, K. and Holdridge, L. (2005) 'Related Objects of Thought: Art and Thought, Theory and Practice' in Miles, M. (ed.) New Practices, New Pedagogies: a Reader, London and New York: Routledge

Macleod, K. and Holdridge, L. (2006) (eds.) Thinking Through Art: Reflections on Art as Research, London and New York: Routledge

Smith, H and Dean, R.T (2009) (eds) Practice-led Research, Research-led Practice in the Creative Arts, Edinburgh: Edinburgh University Press

Sullivan, G (2010) (2nd Edition) Art Practice as Research: Inquiry in Visual Arts, Los Angeles, London, New Delhi, Singapore, Washington DC: Sage

Some general research readings:

E.M. Phillips, D.S. Pugh: How to Get a Ph.D.: A Handbook for Students and their Supervisors. O.U. Press. This book is a handbook and a survival manual which discusses the nature of a Ph.D. qualification, methodology and the overall process of research degree registration. The difficulties in achieving a Ph.D. are discussed in a chapter entitled 'How Not to Get a Ph.D.'. Included in the book are many honest quotes from candidates and supervisors which many candidates will relate to.

P. Cryer: The Research Student's Guide to Success. Open University Press. Described as providing practical information for the process of research study.

L. Orna, G. Stevens: Managing Information for Research. Open University Press: Described as a book for first-time researchers, which addresses time management, organising information, producing written work, etc.

SERC: Research Student and Supervisor: An Approach to Good Supervisory Practice. A useful common sense booklet particularly useful for supervisors. Copies are available from the Graduate School.

R. Murray: How to Write a Thesis. Open University Press.

M. Wilkin: Learning to Teach in Higher Education. CEDAR. Described as a manual for teaching assistants and graduate students who are teaching undergraduate students for the first time. It includes practical advice on preparing handouts, using audio-visual aids, giving a lecture and evaluating a teaching session.

J. Bell: Doing Your Research Project: A Guide for First-Time Researchers in Education and Social Science. Open University Press.

P. Salmons: Achieving a Ph.D. - Ten Students' Experience. Trentham Books.

H.S. Becker: Writing for Social Scientists: How to Start and Finish Your Thesis, Book or Article. University of Chicago Press.

J.W. Cresswell: Research Design; Qualitative and Quantitative Approaches. Sage Publications.

P. Cunleavy: Authoring a Ph.D. How to Plan, Draft, Write and Finish a Doctoral Thesis Dissertation. Palgrave Macmillan.

R. Murray: How to Survive your Viva. Open University Press.

S. Delamont, P. Atkinson, O Parry: Successful Research Careers: a Practical Guide. Open University Press.