Practice Led Research
Convenor: Martyn Jolly
Practice-led research presumes a process of the development and testing of knowledge which has an outcome in the production of works of art, design, performance and professional practices.
For a researcher in this field a “practice-led” thesis is based on the researcher’s development of an appropriate experimental and analytical methodology, specific to the medium in which the practice takes place, and grounded in an understanding of the historical and theoretical disciplinary context in which it is located. In keeping with orthodox academic approaches, practice-led research addresses familiar themes with equivalent rigour: the objective of the study; its historical and theoretical context; the method of communication through relevant media and processes; substantiation of the process of discovery; the novelty of resultant discoveries, etc.
Research into professional practice, whether it be practice as an academic, as a musician, dentist, or manager, is a growing area of research interest at the ANU. Such research requires recognition and development of its epistemologies, methodologies and approaches that are appropriate to the discipline and the profession. Research into pedagogy and academic methods is a subset of this aspect of the theme.
The practice-led research theme includes creative arts practices, exemplified by, for example, the production of new works of visual art for dissemination in the public domain; music practice and theory in various appropriate research modes and outcomes; new media arts practice research and outcomes; and research into performance practice and theory (including drama and theatre studies). Research in curatorial practice, visual anthropology, and collections research are subsets of Art History, Art Theory, and Anthropology.
Visualisation research is an emergent field employing methodologies which apply to the analysis of forms of visual culture where either the subject of the study and/or the mode of articulation of fi ndings is in visual media, or analysed through visual means. Equivalents in other fields: eg, work in sonic, haptic, and cyberspatial domains are also dependent on relevant modes of practice.
Practice-Led Research or Research-Led Practice?
The Joys and Challenges of Making Media Art in a University Context
Discussion forum: Friday 18th September, 2-4pm, School of Art Lecture Theatre
The concept of practice-led research is now fundamental to university teaching and research in the creative arts. For example it underpins the Australian Research Council’s Excellence in Research for Australia (ERA) data collection exercise, which will be used to measure and reward universities.
But how is the concept of practice-led research playing itself out on the ground with lecturers in media arts? How is our practice informing our teaching? How is our teaching informing our practice? Are our practices being measured in the right way? Is the concept of practice-led research evolving in a different way for creative artists in media areas than for artists in other areas? These and other questions will be discussed in a free-ranging conversation chaired by Dr Tim Brook, Visiting Fellow at the ANU School of Art and Adjunct Lecturer in the Faculty of Engineering and IT.
Speakers:
Dr Martyn Jolly (ANU)
Dr Denise Ferris (ANU)
Dr onacloV (University of Sydney Design Lab)
Ryszard Drabek (University of Sydney, Sydney College of the Arts)
Mitchell Whitelaw (University of Canberra)
Jason Nelson (Griffith University)
Chair: Dr Tim Brook (visiting fellow ANU School of Art)
Screening of film works: Friday 18th September, 4:30-5:30pm, School of Art Lecture Theatre
Amin Palangi (PhD candidate ANU)
Josh Wodak (PhD candidate ANU)
A collection of music videos written and performed by The Size Queens,
directed by three international artists including Peter Maloney (Lecturer, ANU)
Exhibition: 18th - 25th September
A National Showcase of Digital Media Practice in Australian Universities
Opening: Friday 18th September, 6pm, School of Art Gallery
Floor talks for secondary schools by arrangement.
Contact Martyn Jolly: Martyn.Jolly@anu.edu.au
www.bmefestival.com