Transforming Environments relates artistic research to challenges and open questions arising from current living conditions. The PhD projects focus on social, political or ecological situations that require rethinking and action. How can such situations be made tangible? How can art negotiate transformation? Which approaches seem suitable to address urgencies, to intervene and have an effect?
The programme consists of a predoc and a PhD level.
Predoc-level:
The one-year predoctoral programme enables to conceive and tackle a practice-based doctoral project. The aim of the programme is for participants to gain a deeper understanding of the requirements in the academic field, to conceptualise their own approach to artistic research and to develop a solid research plan. During monthly group meetings, members actively participate in a culture of peer exchange and receive individual support. At the end of the programme, they submit a full PhD proposal (exposé). Participants who successfully complete the programme qualify to pursue their doctorate at the DFA.
PhD group:
The PhD group offers doctoral candiates a trusting and stimulating environment for regular dialogue with peers. The meetings, some of which are self-organised, enable the group to receive a wide range of support through constructive feedback situations, sharing challenges and common concerns, as well as methodologies. Experts, guest speakers or workshop leaders can be brought in on a specific issues. The focus lies on reflecting on one's own research, collective experiments and shaping a sustainable, artistic research culture.