Frascati, excellence, practice and the drift towards orthodoxy

Practice-based research and REF2014Stephen Partridge

Chair of Media Art and Dean of Research Art & DesignDuncan of Jordanstone College of Art and Design |

College of Art Science & Engineering | University of Dundee

can’t we move on?

the validity of practice in research

the difficulty of obtaining full recognition and funding for practice based research

Frascati

‘Research and experimental development (R&D) comprise creative work undertaken on a systematic basis in order to increase the stock of knowledge, including knowledge of man, culture and society and the use of this stock of knowledge to devise new applications.(Source: Second chapter of OECD 1993 Frascati Manual, ISBN 9264142029)

Frascati

• R&D is a term covering three activities: basic research, applied research and experimental development.

• Basic research is experimental or theoretical work undertaken primarily to acquire new knowledge of the underlying foundation of phenomena and observable facts, without any particular application or use in view.

Frascati

• R&D is a term covering three activities: basic research, applied research and experimental development.

• Basic research is experimental or theoretical work undertaken primarily to acquire new knowledge of the underlying foundation of phenomena and observable facts, without any particular application or use in view.

REF2104

For the purposes of the REF, research is defined as a process of investigation leading to new insights, effectively shared.

REF2104

Practice encompasses all disciplines within art and design, in which methods of making, representation, interrogation and interpretation are integral to their productions.

about an outputStephen Partridge is an artist and academic researcher. Research projects include REWIND | Artists’ Video in the 70s & 80s (rewind.ac.uk); Narratives in Expanded Cinema; and REWINDItalia, all funded by the AHRC. He was in the "landmark" video shows of the 1970s including the Video Show at the Serpentine in 1975, the Installation Show at the Tate gallery in 1976, The Paris Biennalle in 1977 and The Kitchen in New York in 1979 and continues to make art and exhibit whenever he can. His latest book and research output, REWIND| British Artists' Video in the 1970s & 1980s, John Libby Publishing, is in good art book shops now. His last artwork Quattro Minuti di Mezzogiorno, was a HiDefinition Video installation and joint work with Elaine Shemilt. Exhibited in Fuoriluogo 15 - Una Regressione Motivata, Limiti Inchiusi Arte Contemporanea, Campobasso, Molise, Italy. December 18 - January 23 2011, and probably won't be submitted to the REF2014.

about an outputStephen Partridge is an artist and academic researcher. Research projects include REWIND | Artists’ Video in the 70s & 80s (rewind.ac.uk); Narratives in Expanded Cinema; and REWINDItalia, all funded by the AHRC. He was in the "landmark" video shows of the 1970s including the Video Show at the Serpentine in 1975, the Installation Show at the Tate gallery in 1976, The Paris Biennalle in 1977 and The Kitchen in New York in 1979 and continues to make art and exhibit whenever he can. His latest book and research output, REWIND| British Artists' Video in the 1970s & 1980s, John Libby Publishing, is in good art book shops now. His last artwork Quattro Minuti di Mezzogiorno, was a HiDefinition Video installation and joint work with Elaine Shemilt. Exhibited in Fuoriluogo 15 - Una Regressione Motivata, Limiti Inchiusi Arte Contemporanea, Campobasso, Molise, Italy. December 18 - January 23 2011, and probably won't be submitted to the REF2014.

about an outputStephen Partridge is an artist and academic researcher. Research projects include REWIND | Artists’ Video in the 70s & 80s (rewind.ac.uk); Narratives in Expanded Cinema; and REWINDItalia, all funded by the AHRC. He was in the "landmark" video shows of the 1970s including the Video Show at the Serpentine in 1975, the Installation Show at the Tate gallery in 1976, The Paris Biennalle in 1977 and The Kitchen in New York in 1979 and continues to make art and exhibit whenever he can. His latest book and research output, REWIND| British Artists' Video in the 1970s & 1980s, John Libby Publishing, is in good art book shops now. His last artwork Quattro Minuti di Mezzogiorno, was a HiDefinition Video installation and joint work with Elaine Shemilt. Exhibited in Fuoriluogo 15 - Una Regressione Motivata, Limiti Inchiusi Arte Contemporanea, Campobasso, Molise, Italy. December 18 - January 23 2011, and probably won't be submitted to the REF2014.

about an output

Details about the research questions, methodology or means of dissemination, where these are not described within the output itself. This applies to practice-based outputs, for example, an exhibition, performance or artefact.

> the standard output

AHRC

AHRC

British Academy II ?

British Academy

The remit of BA funding schemes does not include primarily practice-based outputs such as in musical composition and performance, visual practice, creative writing, and film-making. Such outputs will be considered to fall within the BA's remit only when they form part of an integrated project of critical or historical significance.

AHRC“The AHRCs starting point is to insist that there is a distinction between creative activities and practice in themselves on the one hand, and research on the other.

Not all creative activity and practice, even of the highest quality, constitutes research, and much research in the creative and performing arts involves no such activity at all. Nevertheless, there is much high-quality research in these subjects and disciplines that can be undertaken effectively only if it is firmly embedded in and involves the pursuit of creative activities, performance, and practice.”

The RAE and Research in the Creative & Performing Arts Review of Research AssessmentRESEARCH IN THE CREATIVE AND PERFORMING ARTS-AHRC 2003

AHRC

> the standard model

excellence

excellence4*Quality that is world-leading in terms of originality, significance and rigour. •The absolute standard of quality in each unit of assessment•a primary or essential point of reference; •of profound influence; •instrumental in developing new thinking, practices, paradigms, policies or audiences; •a major expansion of the range and the depth of research and its application;•outstandingly novel, innovative and/or creative.

excellence

highest impact upon the academy and have longevity

excellence

esteem and prestige as proxies

Degree of Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)University of Dundee

pre 1992• 1 The Degree of Doctor of Philosophy may be awarded following successful completion

of a thesis which requires the equivalent of a minimum of three years full-time study and research and which reflects specialised, original, advanced knowledge understanding, and practice at the frontiers of the subject or professional area. a thesis.

• 2. The University does not accept published material in lieu of a specially composed thesis although candidates may attach relevant publications as appendices for information only.

• 3 The Degree is granted upon the basis of satisfying all of the following characteristic outcomes:

• (i) The creation and interpretation of new knowledge and understanding, through original research, or other advanced scholarship, of a quality to satisfy peer review, extend the forefront of the discipline, and merit publication.

• (ii) A systematic acquisition, understanding and interpretation of a substantial body of knowledge which is at the forefront of an academic discipline or area of professional practice.

• (iii) The general ability to conceptualise, design and implement a project for the generation of new knowledge, applications or understanding at the forefront of the discipline.

• (iv) An appropriate level of understanding of applicable techniques for research and advanced academic enquiry.

Degree of Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)University of Dundee

post 1992• 1 The Degree of Doctor of Philosophy may be awarded

following successful completion of a thesis which requires the equivalent of a minimum of three years full-time study and research and which reflects specialised, original, advanced knowledge understanding, and practice at the frontiers of the subject or professional area.

• 1.a In architecture, design, fine art or television and imaging a substantial body of investigative visual output in an appropriate medium supported by written evidence which clearly identifies the innovative nature of the research work undertaken may be substituted for a thesis.

Degree of Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)University of Dundee

post 1992• 1 The Degree of Doctor of Philosophy may be awarded

following successful completion of a thesis which requires the equivalent of a minimum of three years full-time study and research and which reflects specialised, original, advanced knowledge understanding, and practice at the frontiers of the subject or professional area.

• 1.a In architecture, design, fine art or television and imaging a substantial body of investigative visual output in an appropriate medium supported by written evidence which clearly identifies the innovative nature of the research work undertaken may be substituted for a thesis.

Degree of Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)University of Dundee

post 1992• 1 The Degree of Doctor of Philosophy may be awarded

following successful completion of a thesis which requires the equivalent of a minimum of three years full-time study and research and which reflects specialised, original, advanced knowledge understanding, and practice at the frontiers of the subject or professional area.

• 1.a In architecture, design, fine art or television and imaging a substantial body of investigative visual output in an appropriate medium supported by written evidence which clearly identifies the innovative nature of the research work undertaken may be substituted for a thesis.

Degree of Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)University of Dundee

post 1992• 1 The Degree of Doctor of Philosophy may be awarded

following successful completion of a thesis which requires the equivalent of a minimum of three years full-time study and research and which reflects specialised, original, advanced knowledge understanding, and practice at the frontiers of the subject or professional area.

• 1.a In architecture, design, fine art or television and imaging a substantial body of investigative visual output in an appropriate medium supported by written evidence which clearly identifies the innovative nature of the research work undertaken may be substituted for a thesis.

>orthodoxy

we are in danger of inventing a standard PhD

“leap before looking”Prof . M.Macdonald Chair of History of Scottish Art