PhD

The Photography PhD

   

If you have an MA and would like to undertake a PhD in Photography there are currently three different approaches available-

1).   A written PhD research study based on historical, theoretical or critical notions of practice or archives and collections. This follows a conventional Art Historical model.
2).  A PhD programme of study that combines practical photographic work with a textual thesis. In this model the practical work is seen as a focused and integrated part of the overall methodology with which to address the ‘research question’
3).  PhD by published work. This is appropriate when a student has already published (or exhibited) a significant body of work. This work needs to have been ‘peer recognised’ and its submission is accompanied by a much shorter text placing the work within a critical and analytical framework.

Within these broad parameters an individual research programme is developed between the prospective student and their supervisors.

These programmes' offer photographers and other practicing artists the opportunity of developing a programme of study at the highest academic level. The PhD represents the ‘gold standard’ award in British Universities and is an essential qualification in terms of obtaining research funding and increasingly, academic and teaching posts. For any photographer wishing to interrogate their practice or to develop a body of work within a critical, academic environment the PhD provides an opportunity to focus on the development of a body of work at the highest level.

PhD study is not for everyone - many artists and photographers feel that the limits placed on their creative work are difficult to accept. Nevertheless, for those wishing to develop their critical language and understanding, post – graduate programmes such as the PhD offer challenging routes through which to engage in photographic practice at the highest level.

Previous PhD students include -

Liza Dracup (2017)

Photographic Strategies for visualising the landscapes and natural histories of Northern England

Harry Hall (2015)

The Manifestation of Change: a practice based investigation that creates a relevant photographic work in order to visually articulate the process for change within an isolated rural community

Juliet Chenery-Robson

The Visualisation of the Invisible Illness ME through the Production of Contemporary Photographic Practice in Collaboration with Sufferers, Carers and Medical Researchers

Charles Meecham(2015)

 The Oldham Road 1st and 2nd View

Michele Allen (2012)

A pratical investigation into the common ground between subjective documentary practice and non-gallery arts practice with reference to the Locus+ archive.

Towers

 

Paris Petridis.(2010)
Title of Thesis:  Landscape as 'Manscape'.

Epirus, Greece, 1997.

Epirus, Greece, 1997.

 

Matt Hearn (2012)
Title of Thesis: A curatorial case-study of the ‘Locus+ Archive’ exploring the emergence of non-gallery based practices and focusing on the critical and creative issues that arise in recording and interpreting the experience of live, ephemeral and site-related practices.

Matt HEarn, Locus +

 

Dr John Darwell. (2008)
Title of Thesis:  'A black dog came calling:' A Visualization of Depression through contemporary photography.

John Darwell

 

Dr Mike Golding. (2008)
Title of Thesis:  Digital interventions in history, the archive and memory.

Mike Golding

Tony Baldwinson.
Title of Thesis:  History of photography and disabled people: unacknowledged records.

Tony Baldwinson

Justice Not Charity March, April 1920, National League for the Blind and Disabled, London

 

Dr Carole Baker.
Title of Thesis- Representations of the Animal through Photographic Practice.

Carole Baker

 

Professor Beryl Graham.
Title of Thesis:  A study of audience relationships with interactive computer-based visual artworks.

Serious Games

Professor Beryl Graham is currently Professor of New Media Art at the University of Sunderland.