This is a joint Study programme offered by the School of Social Science, Media and Cultural Studies, and shared by the MERL & SMARTlab Research Institutes of UEL. From 2008, the IPAD will be joining the scheme.
This Practice-based PhD Study programme is intended for two types of candidates:
Students on this programme will enjoy academic and professional contact with a wide range of leading academics in the media, art and cultural production areas, as well as any other appropriate researchers within the school. Students will work on their research projects in a unique environment, attached to a leading Research Centre.
Study Base: Studies are based in a number of innovative Research Centres at UEL Docklands campus: the Matrix East Research Lab (MERL), and the SmartLab. Both incorporate many academics and artists of international standing, and enjoy close relationship and sponsorship of international media conglomerates. The Institute of Performsance Arts Development (IPAD) is a national centre for teaching and research in the performing arts with particular interests in applied theatre and dramaturgy.
Study Supporting centres: Within our School, there are eight other Research Centres, all leading in their respective disciplines. PhD candidates can elect to be based at any of the other research centres as well, as appropriate to their research:
Entry requirements: There is high demand for places on this programme so acceptance is competitive. MA, MPhil, MRes, MFA, or an equivalent body of professional practice. Applicants will be interviewed and expected to show degree certificates and/or portfolios of professional practice (real or digital), as well demonstrate a clear research focus.
Matrix East Research Lab (MERL) is based in the School of Humanities and Social Sciences (HSS) at UEL, which was formed in September 2004 when the School of Social Sciences and the School of Cultural and Innovation Studies merged. HSS spans a wide range of interdisciplinary programmes and research interests, drawing upon the humanities and social sciences, to create an academic and intellectual environment that focuses upon the creative, cultural and information technology industries, social policy, social work and social sciences. The new School has over 150 staff, 2,250 on-campus students and about 800 students studying off-campus. It has nearly 80 PhD students and houses twelve research centres. The School is based at the University of East London's new Docklands campus, which incorporates a new Learning Resources Centre, a Multimedia Production Centre and is the home of the Knowledge Dock Centre.
These webpages provide information about the teaching, research, production and other activities of HSS. Information about the latest news and events in the School, including conferences and seminars, can be accessed from the right hand column. Cross-links will sometimes move you from the HSS webpages to another area of UEL's website - be sure to bookmark this site so that you can return to it easily.
SMARTlab was founded by Professor L Goodman in 1992 while at the BBC Open University. The research team and our methods have evolved through 4 institutions (via the University of Surrey and Central Saint Martins, UAL), before arriving at our base in the London docklands. From our purpose-built interactive performance studios at the Docklands campus, the SMARTlab fosters collaborations and high level projects and publications with faculty throughout UEL and nationally/internationally. SMARTlab combines research across a broad spectrum of theatre, dance, performance, sonic art, live art, film, e-drama, video and performance installation, within a unique ‘high tech’ environment. The team and our method are intrinsically trans-disciplinary. Artists, audiences, technologists and scholars collaborate in the design of new bespoke tools for contact and communication, and to assess their potential through socially engaged research models.
Our research focuses on platforms and processes that increase accessibility, enhance creativity and connect communities. As well as the ongoing wealth of practice-based research, the SMARTlab faculty are also involved in analysis of contemporary performance theories and practices via the publication of scholarly books, peer reviewed articles and conference presentations. One of the major strands of our research agenda is developing and refining the practice-based PhD model for performing artists and hybrid scholars and technologists.
The Institute for Performing Arts Development (IPAD) was formed two years ago and offers a range of undergraduate and postgraduate programmes in the peforming arts. The insitute has a wide research portfolio including the JISC-funded East London Theatre Archive and a growing consultancy and evaluation arm with partners such as the London International Festival of Theatre. In addition to two practice-based MAs in Acting and Theatre Directing, the team has strong research interests in applied theatre, dramaturgy, British Asian theatre, music composition and sonic culture.
The Graduate School
The Graduate School is integral to the experience of all postgraduate research students. The remit of the school is three fold; to provide a quality-assured infrastructure and focus for research activity across the institution, to support infrastructure and focus for research activity across the institution, to support students as well as academic staff in the production, development and application of new knowledge, and to enable research students to fulfil their potential and contribute toward institutional, national and international research.
The School offers comprehensive support service from the point of application through to conferment of their award, as well as advising on funding and offering research skills training.
In support of the postgraduate research student, the Graduate School not only underpins their studies with an effective administrative infrastructure and quality-assured programmes, but fosters a strong research community whilst preparing students for the rigours of academic or professional practice. For more information on the Graduate School and how we support postgraduate research students, please go to: Graduate School
Students on this PhD programme work on individual creative projects of their choice, as well as partaking in a common workshop and seminar programme, and writing an analytical thesis contextualising their creative work. The exact balance of theoretical to practical work will vary according to individual project needs.
The normal length of full-time study is three years, but part-time mode is also available, and lasts up to five years. Many international students choose this mode, and partake in the programme while working in their home countries, and completing intensive workshop/seminar programmes in London three times a years in February, July and October. UEL regulation require that students spend at least six weeks in each year studying at the university.
Attendance and full participation at all 3 annual seminars is mandatory, as this is the main opportunity for group critique and interaction throughout the year. The seminars are held for around a week in October, February and July of each academic session. Students are also provided with a bespoke online PhD site for secure sharing of work in progress with supervisors and the team, and to SMARTlab’s and MERL’s seminar spaces in Second Life for virtual gatherings and sharing of work.
While on the programme, students enjoy professional ands academic exchange with a large number of academics, ranging across many areas of creative production and media and cultural studies.
Students will be assigned a Director of Studies and one or two supervisors to cover different areas of expertise. Those can come from the full range of researchers in the school and allied centres.
Co-Directors:
Phd Convenors:
MERL Faculty
SMARTlab Faculty
IPAD Faculty
Students on this Study Scheme enjoy full access to a wide range of cutting-edge, world-leading production facilities, with some unique features:
The Technical Team
The Administrative Team
HSS
SMARTlab
For more information about specific research centres, the projects they are currently undertaking and the staff involved, click on the links to centre webpages
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