Research Studio, where Art and Academia meet
Full course description
Research Studio invites you to explore conducting research in an interdisciplinary team consisting of theatre artists and academics. Bridging the domains of art and academia, this project challenges you to get out of your ‘comfort zone’ and transfer your academic knowledge and skills to a new working environment. This interdisciplinary view on research is grounded in the assumption that art and academia are not separate domains, but ‘particular kinds of experimental practices in a more general experimental culture’ (Gere, 2010). The project triggers your creativity, requires adaptability and invites critical reflection on established research practices, methods and ways of knowing. It challenges you to critically consider the questions how do we know what we know? And what for? All participants in the Research Studio are part of an interdisciplinary team, including students with a background in theatre and with an academic background. They work on a topical problem in collaboration, guided by both a theatre professional and an academic researcher. All team-members contribute to the project based on their personal backgrounds, expertise and interests. Hence, the project welcomes students from all concentrations. No specific experience in theatre is needed. Students should be open to experimenting with new or unfamiliar ways of conducting research, using for instance the body as a research instrument.
Course objectives
By participating in the Research Studio, students will learn:
- To transfer their knowledge and skills to a practical issue of societal concern. This includes critical analysis of the topic provided, recognizing what knowledge and/or skills are applicable and applying this knowledge and/or skills.
- To develop their research skills. This includes exploring and reflecting on different research methods, practiced in the Arts, Humanities and (Social) Sciences and becoming aware of the benefits and limitations of different approaches to conducting research.
- Ways to engage in and discuss an art practice. This includes insight in the art practice as a skill and approach to acquiring knowledge and experiencing potential similarities and differences between artistic and academic practices.
- To create a practice-based research output that follows from the approach developed during the research and aims at a specific audience in and/or outside academia. This includes defining an audience for the research output and finding an appropriate ‘form’, which connects to the development of the research process, for presenting the results.
- Collaboration in an interdisciplinary team. This includes teamwork and communication skills as well as adaptability and reflection on one’s strengths and weaknesses in contributing to the team-effort.
Prerequisites
The number of spots in this project is limited. We are looking for open-minded students who are drawn to the content of the project and interested in helping to develop it further. More information about the artist, the content and the application procedure will be published in the Student Portal. Students who are interested in participating should consult the Student Portal and follow the instructions for application carefully.