PhD Study : Creativity and Art through a Bohmian Perspective

Summary

This research proposal is grounded in critical investigation and  applied understanding of David Bohm’s insights on elimination or merging of the observer as observed. Outside of the scientific community such unfamiliar  but radical consideration can be directly traced  to his dialogues and  study on  challenges of psychological temporality and centrality of challenged identity. The potential impact of  such  far-reaching consideration  is slowly being  incorporated within some communities of learning but there is a dearth of critical and applied research with areas such as art and creativity lagging abysmally behind.

This research proffers an attempt to readjust this imbalance. Bohm’s later co–writings concerning dialogue, in particular cognitive  schemata, temporality expiration  and  humanities unfolding  embraced interconnected enquiry into  Creativity  in particular. This is a key component to this study. The origination of observing insight as a unifying question (especially co-authored with Jiddu Krishnamurti) arguably stand amongst his greatest and most significantly under realized findings. However, they have not been as rigorously utilized as in the current re-discovery and integration of his work within the evolving and dynamic field of quantum mechanics (for example John Stewart Bell).

This proposal redresses and that imbalance applying the evolved aspects of Bohmian enquiry to the fecund area of Art specifically engaging with nature and attention, invaluable to both fields of Science and Art. The successful applicant  would address  this radical topic with an applied and direct sense of investigative learning relevant to the proposed research question particularly  in observing and enquiring into the applied  nature of creativity.

The IBM survey of major Global corporations located two main areas of almost universal agreement for graduate and  post-graduate recruitment; one was the ability  to be able to  effectively work together and the other was the facility for creative insight. Within Bohm’s Theories both are interrelated through far-reaching re-envisioning  of  invention and co-operation. In this respect almost unbeknownst to the research community Bohm had deliberately  engaged with  a number of innovate  artists  and creative practitioners  particularly from the visual arts field for example Charles Biederman,  Louwrien Wijers, and Robert Rauschenberg .

The candidate would bring knowledge of and interest in Bohmian enquiry in relationship to creativity and specifically questioning around art, design and insight. The potential for such research holds great and indeed far reaching possibilities by way of not only re-envisioning and reconfiguring Bohmian [and his most notably consistent  co-author] enquiry, not exclusive to  the field of Art,  but also revealing unrealized application on the disposition of Creativity its ontology and epistemological unfoldment on observer as observing. Such potential findings lead, from the groundwork of art, to share and reintroduce significant transformative and applicable development within the fields of applied Sciences and Education. This untapped area of study is something that a researcher  with a well qualified undergraduate and postgraduate background, and recent  studies  in humanities and creativity could most profitably engage with.

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
• Research proposal of 2000 words detailing aims, objectives, milestones and methodology of the project

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