The PhDArts research trajectory consists of two elements:
Individual research
Doctoral study programme
Each research trajectory is individually supervised. The role of the supervisors consists of helping students to develop a suitable research environment. The supervising team consists of the Directing Supervisor and one or two assisting supervisors.
The Directing Supervisor is the main person responsible for the student’s supervision. They are, in principle, selected from within the institute. One or two supervisors, who are experts in specific aspects of the research, assist the Directing Supervisor. After admission, the doctoral student chooses the assisting supervisors in consultation with PhDArts staff. The choice of the assisting supervisors has to be practically feasible.
The tasks of the supervisors include continuously monitoring the quality of the research by keeping close track of the student’s progress and by supplying the necessary research methods and tools to sharpen the student’s critical approach to their research.
The supervisors also follow the student’s preparations for presentation moments and the final presentation by ensuring that there is a good balance between written text and art-specific means, so that the research results may be communicated in an optimal fashion.
Furthermore, the supervisor guarantees the required in-depth investigation and broadening of the research topic, as well as possibilities for contextual research and frames of reference. Also, the supervisor ensures that there is a proper balance of artistic work and reflection.
Presentation moments and final presentation
The doctoral study includes a number of presentation moments throughout the course of the research, among others in the form of a Qualifying Hurdle after the first year, Annual Progress Reports in the subsequent years, and finally a public presentation and a public defense of the results of the research.
PhD students are responsible for the progress of their research. It is the student’s task to update the supervision team on their development and notify them of their presentation and evaluation moments. It is up to the student to initiate and maintain the contact with their supervisors and the PhDArts directory.
The doctoral study programme is supplemental to the supervision of individual research in the PhDArts research trajectory.
The research community enables PhD students to exchange ideas. It is a framework that stimulates constructive and content-based criticism of the work of the students among themselves and with supervisors, visiting lecturers, and staff. The research community is an important expansion of the possibilities for the undertaking of one’s practice and an expansion of the discourse.
The study programme includes lectures, seminars, and workshops by staff and invited guests; visual artists, designers, and researchers from various disciplines. Throughout the academic year, students present on the progress of their individual research for their fellow doctoral students, in order to exchange ideas, thoughts, and experiences. In addition, students participate in presentation training and in a course covering writing techniques. Students are expected to attend the study programme throughout the entire duration of their doctoral study.
The research community is formed during the doctoral study programme, and also through the research facilities offered by PhDArts. These facilities differ depending on the research project. They include access to libraries, availability of studio spaces for presentations and of equipment and computer facilities, and cooperation with partner institutions.