PhD Study : The use of visual language on perception of climate change

Summary

This research will explore artistic strategies and boundaries of visual language in the context of human-made climate change. Led by obvious economic and political interests, an aggressive debate over the existence and dimension of human-made climate change happens currently.

The objective of this research is to broaden the knowledge base that helps to develop an understanding how images and artistic strategies (de-)construct world views and influence awareness.

How is art involved in the transformation of knowledge on climate change?

In what way does artistic practice articulate these questions by illustrating them or suggesting solutions?

The symptoms of the Anthropocene, if only due to their vast scale, appear to resist the tools of conspicuity. What visual tools do artists and scholars have that would capture changes taking place and what images and strategies are produced?

Tue Greenford suggests that “The image of nature is used to debate cultural values. The concept is more of a projection surface for ideology” (Tollman, 2011). This work is further discussed by other researchers (Skrebowski, 2013). According to the title of an influential book by Naomi Klein, climate change is a phenomenon that “changes everything”. This phenomenon is impacting all areas of social life and inevitably influencing our cultural notions and the conditions for development, or indeed survival, of human civilization.

This research aims to discover what change and impact such phenomenon has had on art practice. Instead of pursuing dichotomous world views or despairingly taking the escape route of climate change denial into an imagined parallel world, Bruno Latour (2017, 2018) proposes to set out for the ‘critical zone’ for example.

The research will also look at how artistic strategies are already being used in this context, test how scientific data is best embodied in an artwork and how can this be translated into effective artworks. In turn it aims to demonstrate what impact these have on perception of climate change.

This PhD expects research through creative practice leading to the development and testing of new artistic strategies and artefacts as a body of creative work, supporting a PhD thesis.

Essential criteria

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.

• Sound understanding of subject area as evidenced by a comprehensive research proposal
• A comprehensive and articulate personal statement

Desirable Criteria

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

• 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

Funding and eligibility

The University offers the following levels of support:

Vice Chancellors Research Studentship (VCRS)

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.

Department for the Economy (DFE)

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