We have a vibrant student community in the History of Art with many research projects and external collaborations.

OVERVIEW

Areas available for research supervision include:

• European art historical periods, particularly medieval, Renaissance, 17th, 18th and 19th centuries
• Modernist studies, particularly Dada and Surrealism
• Chinese art and culture
• the development and application of art theory, particularly gender and post-1945
• collecting practices, collections and museums technical art history: interdisciplinary research into artists’ materials, methods, and studio practices in the past and present, artists’ intent, authenticity and authentication
• material culture studies, particularly decorative art and design history
• dress textile history
• textile conservation and textile conservation science.

Our research degrees offer unique opportunities for:

• object-based learning using outstanding local collections and archives
• training in research methods and skills
• participation in many extra-curricular activities in the School of Culture and Creative Arts, detailed on our Student Life pages. Study is complemented by a lively programme of research seminars, to which postgraduates contributes, which includes lectures delivered by leading art and design historians, conservators and other visiting academics.

Thesis length: 70,000-100,000 words, including references, bibliography and appendices (other than documentary appendices).

A Doctor of Philosophy may be awarded to a student whose thesis is an original work making a significant contribution to knowledge in, or understanding of, a field of study and normally containing material worthy of publication.