PhD Studentship - Transdisciplinary Design and Creative Arts-Transdisciplinary and Systems Thinking in Design and Creative Arts

The School of Design and Creative Arts at Loughborough University invites applicants to undertake PhD study. For Art and Design, the School is third in the UK (The Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide and The Complete University Guide 2025) and 39th in the world (QS World Rankings by subject 2025). We are a dynamic and vibrant space for research and innovation with world-leading academics in diverse fields such as human factors and ergonomics, product design, user experience design, industrial design, digital futures, graphic design, fine art, textiles, fashion and storytelling. We are passionate about responding to real-world challenges: health and wellbeing, climate change, sustainability, politics, and how we might create a fairer world. We are also a proudly inclusive School and welcome applicants from non-traditional backgrounds and from all cultures, communities and circumstances. If you are, like us, excited to confront the world’s most acute challenges using innovative and ground-breaking methods and approaches then consider working with us.

Transdisciplinary and systems thinking embrace complexity, seeking holistic approaches to interconnected societal challenges. This area fosters collaboration across disciplines, for example, public health, business, education, engineering, and governance—to address issues such as health equity, urban resilience, and social innovation. Challenges include developing the theoretical underpinnings for integrating diverse knowledge systems, navigating disciplinary boundaries, and designing and creating for emergent outcomes. Research questions include: How can design and creative methods facilitate dialogue and co-creation across sectors and communities? What tools and frameworks support systems thinking in design and creative arts education and practice? How can design and creative arts interventions be evaluated within complex adaptive systems? Projects may involve strategic design, futures thinking, ergonomics and human factors, storytelling, design for policy, and collaborative innovation, with a focus on building bridges between disciplines to tackle real-world problems.

Entry requirements:
Applicants must have or expect to achieve least a high 2:1 honours degree (or equivalent international qualification) in a relevant subject. A relevant Masters degree and/or employment experience will be an advantage.

English language requirements:
Applicants must meet the minimum English language requirements. Further details are available on the International website.

Funding information:
The studentship is for 3 years and provides a tax-free stipend of £20,780 per annum for the duration of the studentship, plus university tuition fees.

Funding for this studentship is awarded on a competitive basis and is not guaranteed; availability will depend on the outcome of the selection process and subject to final approval by the University. 

How to apply:
All applications should be made online. Under Campus, please select Loughborough and select Programme Design or Creative Arts (select the programme your research falls under). Please quote the advertised reference number TST-26 in your application.

To avoid delays in processing your application, please ensure that you submit the minimum supporting documents. The following selection criteria will be used by academic schools to help them make a decision on your application.

As part of your application, you must submit a proposal (maximum 2 pages). Part of your proposal must specifically indicate how your research fits within one of the strategic priority themes.

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