Preparing for a Practice-based PhD in Fine Art, Design, and Film

Understand what it means to do a PhD in fine art, design, or film

Undertaking a PhD in the arts is significantly different from the undergraduate and postgraduate levels of study. While pursuing a PhD in the arts can be an exciting journey, graduates often lack awareness of what this entails.

This six-week course from the Lucerne School of Art and Design will break down practice-based research and key topics in the research process to help you understand what it means to develop and execute a PhD in film, arts, and design.

Prepare for the transition from an MA to a doctoral research degree

There is a sizable gap between how a Master’s degree equips graduates and the requirements for entering a PhD. Practitioners in fine art, design or film are very often poorly prepared for pursuing a research degree or lack a clear idea of what is expected from them.

The experts on this course will help you understand the full scope and expectations associated with a doctorate, and prepare you with detailed information about specific steps to pursue a PhD.

Experience PhD projects by contemporary designers, artists and filmmakers

On this course, you’ll review several highly interesting examples of PhDs done by practitioners of the arts.

Through the exploration of these projects, you’ll gain insight, experience, and inspiration from the work of fellow artists, designers, and filmmakers.

Make an informed decision supported by the expertise of your educators

The Lucerne School of Art and Design is experienced in guiding designers, artists, and film makers to realise and develop their professional futures, and the lead educators on this course are two of the most experienced persons in this field.

With the support of your educators and arts practitioners, you’ll be well-equipped with the knowledge you need to make a decision on pursuing your PhD.

This course is designed for artists, designers, and filmmakers considering a practice-based PhD and practice-based research in a creative field. It will also be suitable for those interested in learning more about creative doctorates and practice-based research.

This course is designed for artists, designers, and filmmakers considering a practice-based PhD and practice-based research in a creative field. It will also be suitable for those interested in learning more about creative doctorates and practice-based research.

• Discuss what a practice-based PhD entails and how creative practice can produce relevant knowledge for the arts.
• Identify how to define your research interest and how to develop a relevant research question.
• Explore the actual process of a PhD, the challenges it imposes and how a permanent writing practice can support your research.
• Compare various methods and approaches towards producing new knowledge, from quantitative to qualitative methods and from hermeneutics to creative practice.
• Evaluate the infrastructure and support networks for practice-based PhDs, starting with the search for a supervisor and ending with the requirements of the final examination.
• Reflect what you have learned from this course and build up your research journal as valuable resource for your further studies. Now you will be well prepared for your journey towards a PhD.