Arts and Creative Industries MRes

Overview

The School of Arts and Creative Industries has a major commitment to scholarship and research. We recognise its significance in underpinning course provision, particularly at postgraduate level, and in developing enterprise and knowledge transfer with the media, arts and creative sectors. All research students are enrolled in the LSBU’s postgraduate Key Skills programme. In addition, you can undertake research methods training from relevant MA and MSc courses, as well as taking part in specialist events and activities, which ensure an inclusive and thriving research culture. Our applied research tackles real-world issues and encompasses a wide variety of methodologies and approaches, including practice-based research, empirical work on audiences and texts, and theory-driven analysis. Read the Arts and Creative Industries Research blog for up-to-date information about research activities. The School is home to the Centre for the Study of the Networked Image, which uses a trans-disciplinary approach to analysing the use of the image in network culture. An MRes is distinct from a taught Masters in that your final output will be an extended dissertation or creative project relevant to your field of interest, rather than module-based coursework and exams. We offer MRes supervision in a range of subject areas, methodological approaches and theoretical approaches, including practice-based research. We welcome proposals in all areas of research relevant to the School.

Transferable skills

A research degree will equip you with many transferable skills. The self-discipline, the demand for clear analytical thinking and intellectual synthesis, and the ability to turn criticism of others’ work into something constructive of your own, all constitute a unique training for almost any kind of career. The excitement and satisfaction of finding new facts, developing a robust new thesis, or a new methodology for considering architectural paradigms can be highly rewarding.

Employability

All research students are required to participate in a Key Skills Development programme aimed at developing transferable skills in addition to those employed in carrying out research. Training in research methods is available through frequent research seminars. When necessary the research student can follow, in part, relevant Masters courses available within the School and in particular units on research methodology. In some cases, research students are encouraged to follow other courses available within the University or externally aimed at improving their general expertise in their chosen areas. In addition, they may be encouraged to follow language courses aimed at improving their oral and written skills - both essential in their future careers.