PhD Studentship: Transformative Research in Immersive Arts and Technologies x 2

The project:

These two studentships available at the University of Bristol will develop projects which explore the intersection between culture and creative technologies and explore transformative digital research. The pandemic saw theatres pivot to engaging audiences digitally and accelerated digital transformation and disruption in arts and culture, along with the rapid growth of the immersive industries (VR and AR). Theatre-makers and researchers – particularly those working on or in the field of immersive theatre – are translating their expertise into this new sector. Research on immersive arts, as an object of study, and through immersive arts as a practical method necessitates cross-disciplinary knowledge and skills. Hence these two studentships will be an exciting part of the productive collaboration between Theatre and Computer Science. Bristol is a hotspot for Creative Industries’ activity, making the city an ideal context for such studies, especially with regards to engaged research. These studentships will offer the possibility to explore the transformative potential of digital performance and could intersect with, but are not limited by, the project ‘Connecting Through Culture As We Age: Digital Transformation for Healthy Aging’, ESRC Centre for Sociodigital Futures and the UKRI MyWorld project. Students will also benefit from the association with the Centre for Creative Technologies, which is based at the Watershed’s Pervasive Media Studio, and the associated community of Postgraduate and Early-Career Researchers. 

Supervision for both studentships will be interdisciplinary, with the supervisory teams combining expertise in immersive art as well as engineering computer science. Thus, we are particularly supportive of research projects interested in technical innovations as well as their creative applications. 

How to apply:

Please make an online application for this project at https://www.bristol.ac.uk/study/postgraduate/apply/start-application/. You must select Theatre and Performance PhD as your programme choice and September 2023 as your start date. In your application please mark that you would like to be considered for the ‘Immersive Arts and Technologies PGR Scholarship’ in the Funding Information section and in your project proposal explain how your project meets the Immersive Arts and Technologies Studies remit. 

Deadline for applications: 12noon GMT on Monday 6 March 2023. 

Candidate requirements:

Applicants must hold/achieve a minimum of a master’s degree (or international equivalent) in an arts, humanities, or engineering/technology discipline., and/or significant professional experience in the sector. Applicants without a master's qualification may be considered on an exceptional basis, provided they hold a first-class undergraduate degree. Please note, acceptance will also depend on evidence of readiness to pursue a research degree.

If English is not your first language, you will need to reach the requirements outlined in our profile level C.

Further information about English language requirements and profile levels. 

Funding:

Fees for Home or Overseas students will be fully discounted. Scholarships include a stipend at UKRI level, (the stipend rates for 2022-23 are £17,668) and a £2,000 per annum contribution to Research and Travel costs for four years. Fully funded stipends for international students do not cover additional costs like student visa fees, NHS sur-charges, or family requirements. These will each have to be covered individually. 

Contacts:

For queries related to the application process, please contact the Faculty of Arts Postgraduate Research Admissions Team art-pgadmissions@bristol.ac.uk. 

If you have any further questions about the scheme please contact Dr Paul Clarke P.Clarke@bristol.ac.uk and/or Professor Kirsten Cater Kirsten.cater@bristol.ac.uk. 

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