​​The impact of Artistic Migration to and from Northern Ireland

This topic will critically evaluate the impact and influence of migrant artists on Northern Irish art practice and local, national, and international art communities. The project seeks to produce a critical evaluation of the potential impact of artistic migration to and from Northern Ireland.  Research proposals should focus on what migrancy means within the cultural sector of Northern Ireland.

Potential candidates should consider framing their application around key questions on how migrant artists are represented within the cultural sector and what, if any, exclusions and obstacles do they face. Further consideration should be given to how cultural institutions on the island of Ireland support migrant artists or how they contribute to communities. Applicants should also give thought to the reasons why artists migrate to Northern Ireland and their status, impact and relationship within the Northern Irish artistic community and the wider community. Given the specificity of Northern Ireland’s political landscape, potential candidates might also consider the role politics plays on migrant artist identities and outputs. The project seeks to identify if the migrant experience produces specific or unique artistic styles or modes of production, and how this may impact on International reputation. Attention to mapping the confluence of different artistic approaches and identifying potential uniqueness from the contribution by migrant artists to the cultural life of Northern Ireland will also be central to this project.

This project can be approached as a practical or theoretical based doctoral project. The project will be also suitable for an art theorist, or for a practitioner whose work requires or can substantially be enhanced by contextualization and theorization of the questions addressed.

Applicants should hold, or expect to obtain, a First or Upper Second Class Honours Degree in a subject relevant to the proposed area of study.

We may also consider applications from those who hold equivalent qualifications, for example, a Lower Second Class Honours Degree plus a Master’s Degree with Distinction.

In exceptional circumstances, the University may consider a portfolio of evidence from applicants who have appropriate professional experience which is equivalent to the learning outcomes of an Honours degree in lieu of academic qualifications.

• A comprehensive and articulate personal statement
• Research proposal of 2000 words detailing aims, objectives, milestones and methodology of the project

If the University receives a large number of applicants for the project, the following desirable criteria may be applied to shortlist applicants for interview.

• For VCRS Awards, Masters at 75%
• Completion of Masters at a level equivalent to commendation or distinction at Ulster
• Practice-based research experience and/or dissemination
• Experience using research methods or other approaches relevant to the subject domain
• Work experience relevant to the proposed project

The University offers the following levels of support:

The following scholarship options are available to applicants worldwide:

• Full Award: (full-time tuition fees + £19,000 (tbc))
• Part Award: (full-time tuition fees + £9,500)
• Fees Only Award: (full-time tuition fees)

These scholarships will cover full-time PhD tuition fees for three years (subject to satisfactory academic performance) and will provide a £900 per annum research training support grant (RTSG) to help support the PhD researcher.

Applicants who already hold a doctoral degree or who have been registered on a programme of research leading to the award of a doctoral degree on a full-time basis for more than one year (or part-time equivalent) are NOT eligible to apply for an award.

Please note: you will automatically be entered into the competition for the Full Award, unless you state otherwise in your application.

The scholarship will cover tuition fees at the Home rate and a maintenance allowance of £19,000 (tbc) per annum for three years (subject to satisfactory academic performance).

This scholarship also comes with £900 per annum for three years as a research training support grant (RTSG) allocation to help support the PhD researcher.

• Candidates with pre-settled or settled status under the EU Settlement Scheme, who also satisfy a three year residency requirement in the UK prior to the start of the course for which a Studentship is held MAY receive a Studentship covering fees and maintenance.
• Republic of Ireland (ROI) nationals who satisfy three years’ residency in the UK prior to the start of the course MAY receive a Studentship covering fees and maintenance (ROI nationals don’t need to have pre-settled or settled status under the EU Settlement Scheme to qualify).
• Other non-ROI EU applicants are ‘International’ are not eligible for this source of funding.
• Applicants who already hold a doctoral degree or who have been registered on a programme of research leading to the award of a doctoral degree on a full-time basis for more than one year (or part-time equivalent) are NOT eligible to apply for an award.

Due consideration should be given to financing your studies. Further information on cost of living

Lerm Hayes, C. M., & Talec, K. (2015). Performance Art and the Conflict in Northern Ireland, Golden Thread Gallery.  http://www.troublesarchive.com/resources/performanceartessay_acni.pdf

Richard Demarco, Edinburgh, http://www.demarco-archive.ac.uk/

Christa-Maria Lerm Hayes, Victoria Walters (eds.), Beuysian Legacies in Ireland and Beyond: Art, Culture and Politics. Series:  European Culture and Politics. Münster, Hamburg, Berlin, Vienna, London: LIT 2011

Declan Long, Visual Art and the Conflict in Northern Ireland: A Troubles Archive Essay. Arts Council of Northern Ireland (ed), Belfast: ACNI (2009)

PICAS-Map-Intercult-Report-FINAL-Feb-17.pdf  https://www.capartscentre.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/PICAS-Map-Intercult-Report-FINAL-Feb-17.pdf

Migrant Artists on Ireland Series 2013 - https://cfcp.ie/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/New-Voices-of-Ireland-Series-2013-Migrant-Artists-on-Ireland-catalogue.pdf