Artful Research

Two symposia about practice as research

Call for Contributions
Why and how can artistic practice be considered as research? Musicians, writers, artists, designers
and performers have long considered their practice as a form for creating knowledge. In recent times,
in line with changes in the way educational institutions view the arts, this knowledge production is
being framed within the conventions of academic research. Some, in arts and humanities, have chosen
doctoral research as a means to develop their understanding of the relationship between what they do
and the intellectual and practical fields within which they work. As doctoral artist researchers, they
need to assert the validity of their work within the PhD framework. They are asked to identify
research questions that do not always sit comfortably with the way practice develops, and to locate
‘where’ the research is within a variety of ‘outputs’. Many also wish to push beyond the boundaries of
established research conventions in order to advance artistic research as a dynamic field of enquiry.

You are invited to two symposia at Manchester Metropolitan University to hear arts and humanities
academics, students and practitioners speak about how they are doing this.

Symposium One, 3 May 2018, 12.00 – 17.00

Manchester Metropolitan University, Business School room 3.01

Facilitated by Prof. Amanda Ravetz (Manchester Metropolitan University).

With:
Prof. Amanda Bayley (Bath Spa University)
Prof. Anne Boddington (Kingston School of Art)
Michael Schwab (Editor-in-Chief, Journal for Artistic Research)
Prof. Jean Sprackland (Manchester Metropolitan University)

Starting from their own discipline, the panel will reflect on the concept of artistic research as a means
for creating knowledge. Following this, they will debate and develop the issues with students in small
groups. The day will finish with each group presenting a short artistic gesture that expresses
something of their learning from the day.

Register here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/artful-research-symposium-one-3-may-2018-

tickets-43844972493

Symposium Two, 21 June 2018, 12.00 – 17.00

Manchester Metropolitan University, Business School room 5.05

This day will be introduced and facilitated by Dr David Horne (Royal Northern College of Music)

Selected students, who have responded to a call for contributions, will make 20 minute presentations,
or 30 minutes, if they include practice. The call will invite contributions which describe and analyse
the ways in which practice is part of their PhD work.

Register here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/artful-research-symposium-two-21-june-2018-

tickets-43846268369

The call for contributions

Doctoral students are invited to send a proposal for a contribution to the symposium on 21
June.

/Users/55110576/Documents/MMU/Practice as Research/Artful Research Call .docx

We are looking for proposals on any aspect of practice as research. For instance, you might
describe and analyse the role of practice in your research. You might consider conceptual,
philosophical, educational, creative, institutional questions raised by practice as research. You
are advised to attend the first symposium.

Include in your proposal:

1. Your name, institution, department and year of study.

2. The working title of your thesis.
3. A description and rationale for what you will present (max 250 words)
4. Images, where appropriate
5. Whether your presentation includes elements of performance
6. Any technical requirements

For more information please contact Dr Myna Trustram, Research Associate at Manchester School of
Art (m.trustram@mmu.ac.uk).

Please send your proposals for a contribution to the second symposium on 21 June to
Dr Myna Trustram (m.trustram@mmu.ac.uk).

Deadline for proposals: 14 May 2018.

/Users/55110576/Documents/MMU/Practice as Research/Artful Research Call .docx