Established
2008
Research Policy & Strategy
The Technological University (TU) Dublin regards itself as a global, practice-based, research-informed institution. It defines research as ‘creative work undertaken on a systematic basis in order to increase the stock of knowledge of humanity, culture and society and the use of this stock of knowledge to devise new applications’. Research many be orientated towards commercial, industrial and third sector needs, generating new ideas and insights, images, performances, artefacts, materials, products, pedagogies and processes. The public dissemination of the results of research is implied. It has a comprehensive research strategy which has benefitted from EU funding through, for example, Horizon 2020, Marie Curie ITN, Minerva, Erasmus + and support from, for example, Enterprise Ireland and the Irish Research Council. TU Dublin has four main research themes – Information, Communication, Technology & Media (ICTM) ; New Materials; Environment, Energy & Health; Society, Culture & Enterprise (SCE). Research in the Dublin School of Creative Arts itself is structured around ICTM and SCE. Its 3rdcycle provision is administered through the Graduate School of Creative Arts & Media (GradCAM) and it hopes to establish a Research Centre in Creative Arts. GradCAM works in close collaboration with international networks and institutions such as Nordic Artistic Network, Institut de Recherche et Innovation Paris. It sees itself as a ‘permeable institution of enquiry that facilitates, promotes and leads the interaction between cultural practice, educational practice and the everyday world of work and innovation beyond the academy.’ It is a framework for interdisciplinary dialogue, and a shared space of structured doctoral studies and research support – something it terms ‘fourth level’ education.
Key research themes
Create Lab: Design Innovation, Creative Pedagogies, Making Meaning in Public Spaces, Post-Digital Culture, Typographic & Visual Communication, Visual & Material Culture of Memory
Awards Offered
PGDip
MPhil
MRes
PhD
Degrees are validated by the Technological University of Dublin.
Assessment
Thesis (80,000 words)
Artwork (including performance)
Viva
An external examiner is involved in assessment and will be a subject expert and experienced supervisor.
Forms of Output
Exhibition, Performance, Film, Concert
Programme Structure
MPhil Full-time 2 years
PhD Full-time 4 years
Part-time study is offered on a modular basis.
Students may transfer from MPhil to PhD following a successful confirmation examination. Formal annual reviews characterise the programme structure for both MPhil and PhD. The programme is structured around research seminars, research training (skills workshops and a workshop series on ‘epistemic practices’ and ethics); master-classes with international scholars and visitors; collaborative projects, placements and internships; symposia; international exchange programmes.
Undergraduate & Masters Research
BA includes a compulsory module in Dissertation Preparation that includes research methods.
MA includes a specific Research Methods module.
Qualification Framework
National
Quality Assurance & Enhancement
Governed by the regulations of TU Dublin.
Supervision
Students work with 2 supervisors.
Full-time supervisors are allocated 2 hours/week for supervision.
Supervision includes group seminars and reading groups.
Staffing
DSCA provides a PhD supervision module for staff. 25% of staff engaged in supervision hold a 3rdcycle award, and 50% of academic staff in the institution are engaged in both teaching and research.
Student Admissions
Prospective students submit a research proposal and undertake an interview.
There are approx. 90 3rdcycle students across Art, Media, Music & Design, with 12 students in the last 5 years completing.
Student Funding
State Scholarships
Institutional Scholarships
Student Support
Aside from scholarships covering tuition and fee waivers, students are offered support to travel to conferences.
Additional Information
Practice-based research is fully supported.