Research in Art and Design

Three students sit around a table looking at pictures and books. In the background the wall is full of blurred out drawings.

Research Degrees in Art and Design

We aim to foster the next generation of creative researchers, and boast a dynamic and interactive learning community that will enable postgraduate research students to nurture, develop and exploit their talents

Conferences and events

Explore research conferences and events held in the School of Arts and Humanities

Scholarships

As part of a major expansion in research activity the University has made available University Research Scholarships.

You can also find out more about scholarships available within the School of Arts and Humanities

Research ethics and governance

All research within the School of Arts and Humanities is conducted to the highest possible ethical standards that are compliant with the Concordat on Research Integrity. For more information visit the School of Arts and Humanities ethics page.

Research centres

Urban Design, Architecture and Sustainability

The Centre for Urban Design, Architecture and Sustainability comprises three research themes: Urban Design, Architectural Practice and Humanities, and Sustainable Environments and Practice.

Cultural Ecologies in Art, Design and Architecture

This research centre combines concentrations of research themes existing in the School of Arts and Humanities at the University of Huddersfield.

Innovative Design Lab

The lab conducts theory based and applied research generally into product design. It cuts across the areas of architectural design, construction management, interior design, new product development, engineering, social sciences and healthcare.

abstract image of a piece of textiles machinery

Technical Textiles Research Centre

Textile research for various technical applications particularly focusing on chemical-functionalisation of textiles

Contact us

Please get in contact with us if you have any questions about our research or undertaking postgraduate research in the School of Arts and Humanities as well as further information on how to apply or to check the progress of a current application please contact our Research Team: SAH.Research@hud.ac.uk

The international multi award-winning School of Art, Design and Architecture at the University of Huddersfield aims is to foster the next generation of creative researchers, and boasts a dynamic and interactive learning community that will enable postgraduate research students to nurture, develop and exploit their talents. The School has approximately 100 PGR students, from a growing number of different nationalities.

We offer the following research programmes:

MA by Research - Art and Design (Full-time and part-time)
MA by Research - Fashion and Textiles (Full-time and part-time)
MSc by Research - Art and Design (Full-time and part-time)
MSc by Research - Fashion and Textiles (Full-time and part-time)
PhD - Art and Design (Full-time and part-time)
PhD - Fashion and Textiles (Full-time and part-time)

Visit course finder for information on these courses

You will find listed on the course pages several ‘research topics’ which have been designed by experienced PhD supervisors. It may be that you are interested in pursuing an aspect of one of these projects, so do please consider approaching the named academic to discuss your ideas in further detail.

You may also want to design a PhD project of your own. We very much welcome applications in the following broad research areas:

• Art History and Theory
• Costume Studies
• Creative Pattern Cutting and Technologies
• Cultural Leadership and Public Engagement
• Design Pedagogy
• Digital Design, Digital Media Arts and 3D Animation
• Fashion Ecology, Economics and Business Engagement
• Fashion Retail and Social Media
• Graphics and Publishing
• Photography
• Sculpture Studies
• Serious Games for Education and Healthcare
• Textile Crafts and Textile Futures
• Transdisciplinary research in art and design

Within the School of Art, Design and Architecture we offer 2 dedicated research rooms and a comprehensive training programme covering a wide range of research methodologies. In addition, as a PGR student you will have access to English language support; the opportunity to apply for funding to support attendance at research-related conferences, training, workshops and public engagement events; a teaching assistant preparation programme; and be provided with the opportunity to assist with teaching under and postgraduate students within the School.

For additional help and guidance on the application process, please contact: sadapgradmin@hud.ac.uk. Applications can be made via: http://www.hud.ac.uk/researchdegrees/howtoapply/

If applying to study for a research degree you will need to enclose a research proposal of approximately 500 words. This should be attached to the research application form and should be word processed and written in good English. Particular attention will be paid to clarity of expression and also the structure, coherence and flow of argument. The following provides guidance on what to include:

Working title
Introduction: the introductory section serves to delineate the general area within which the research is to be undertaken, to outline the manner in which the proposal is to be developed and, hopefully, to stimulate the reader’s interest
Literature and justification: a review of previous research relevant to the area and a statement of the research problem. Essentially, this constitutes the justification for wishing to undertake the research project.
Aims of the research: a simple statement of what the research is seeking to achieve. This should be fairly focused to demonstrate that you have narrowed down the topic to something that is both achievable and manageable.
Objectives: a number of bullet points of intended objectives to demonstrate an understanding of the steps required in order to meet the aim of the research
Proposed Research methodology: this details how you intend to carry out the research, setting out what techniques and measurement procedures are to be used, the reasons for their selection, and the means of their implementation.
References: this should cite all the materials used in the preparation of the proposal.