Artistic Research

The Artistic Research Group (ARG) at NTU provides a context for individual and collaborative enquiry within a supportive, collegiate environment. Membership is drawn from across the Nottingham School of Art & Design, encompassing a wide range of disciplines and practices to create a rich and inclusive research culture. The aim of this group is to create opportunities for conversation, collaboration and knowledge-sharing between researchers engaged in different art forms involving diverse research interests, alongside encouraging the potential for interdisciplinary exchange with wider fields of practice. Central to this group is an understanding of and advocacy for the value of artistic processes and practices as a core aspect of research enquiry, where knowledge is embodied and enacted in and through practice. This research group is committed to exploring experimental, performative and multimodal approaches to research dissemination, presentation and publication, alongside standard forms of academic output and scholarship. Shared research activity is further galvanised through the development of thematic ‘nodes’ or research ‘clusters’ emerging from members’ individual practices, which aim to generate dialogue and collaboration through events and publications. For example, the research thematic Performing Process addresses the embodied, experiential, relational and material dimensions of artistic making, thinking and knowing, and the critical role of uncertainty, disorientation, not knowing and open-ended activity therein. It considers how a focus on process might offer new perspectives on artistic practice and research, perhaps even on the uncertain conditions of contemporary life. Other emergent ‘thematic nodes’ address issues of identity, heritage and cultural narratives, alongside exploring the societal impact of artistic research including issues of sustainability, contested histories and socially-engaged practices.

While building a critical and supportive environment for research within the Nottingham School of Art & Design, this research group has a distinctive outward-facing approach both within and beyond the University. It contributes to cross-faculty collaborative initiatives within NTU, and its members are active within numerous national and international networks. The Artistic Research Group makes a significant contribution to the School’s research culture offering a rich context for advanced study and supervision. The group, via the contact leads below, welcomes enquiries from prospective PhD students and researchers interested in the areas mentioned above, as well as those detailed under individual research staff.

For all enquiries, please contact the Research Group Leaders, Emma Cocker and Danica Maier.

The following individuals are currently undertaking PGR research for this centre:

• Daniel Hunt
• Elle Reynolds
• Ivana Mancic
• Kallina Krasteva-Brailsford
• Emily Gray
• Andrea Jaeger
• Fiona Trumper
• Darren O’Brien
• John Hancock
• Aylwin Lambert
• Fu Xing
• Andrew Brown