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Research

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A PhD seminar at NCAD where researchers discuss their work with peers (2005)

A group of MFA students responding to an exhibition of postgraduate work in the Digital Hub (2006)

A group of MA Art in the Contemporary World students attend a seminar by artist Jay Koh (2006)

NCAD Research - Understanding Research in Art & Design

Research involves reflective and reflexive activity that probes both the process and product, and is directed towards the advancement of scholarship and creativity. Thus research requires:

• Scholarly location within the discipline(s)
• Critical reflection to identify the research niche
• Cogent reflexive analysis of process and practice
• Retrospective reflection to determine future research directions

Practice-based research in art and design is research that is centrally predicated on realising actual practice within the arts (HETAC 2009), and as such, is consistent with the discipline independent and generalized conception of research proposed by the OECD:

creative work, undertaken on a systematic and rigorous basis in order to contribute to and enhance knowledge and understanding in the pursuit of new concepts and applications. (Frascati Manual 1997 and 2002.)

Research has a role to play in every aspect of the College’s activities: from studio-based explorations in art-making to large-scale design processes; from teaching and learning to the full range of effective communications practices; from the first explorative enquiries of an undergraduate student to the advanced practical investigations of an established practitioner. Research helps to identify alternative ways of ‘thinking’ and ‘doing’, and is an essential creative action. Research can entail any discipline from furniture design to painting, from writing history to performance art, from developing temporary public art works to collaborating with technology experts in designing new services, goods and experiences that address social and economic needs.

A key debate in art and design education is the meaning of research in actual practice, i.e. practice-based research. The College is active as part of national and international networks addressing these issues in a collaborative way across art and design practices. Currently the College is especially actively engaged with the European Art Research Network and the European League of Institutes of Art in addressing the best way to support students pursuing PhD through practice.

Contact

If you have specific questions about postgraduate applications please contact the Admissions Office at:

• Phone: 353 (0)1 6364200
• Fax: 353 (0)1 6364207
• E-mail: fios@ncad.ie

Office Hours 9:30-12:45 and 14:00-17:00.

[The Admissions Office is closed to the public on Friday afternoons.]

If you have more general questions about postgraduate study at NCAD please contact: postgraduate@ncad.ie