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Our research in art and design has a well-established record of outwardly-facing practice-led research, based on the principles of ’Thinking through Making’. Each individual researcher is encouraged to develop and expand their own research methodology in ways that are sympathetic to their work and respects our belief that significance, rigour and originality can reside within the artefact as well as written word.
Our research embraces collaborative and cross-disciplinary practice, as demonstrated by staff sharing their ideas and research through workshops and seminars. We work in partnership with the Northern Bridge Consortium – an Arts and Humanities Research Council (AHRC) funded CDT, which supports PhD scholarships for research students across seven northern universities (Northumbria University, Newcastle University, Teesside University, Durham University, Belfast University, Queen’s University and University of Sunderland). We undertake research work across two campuses and have access to excellent facilities and technical support.
This theme covers research that explores and contributes to challenges and reflects and shapes our communities and the wider world.
Work that is included in this theme could be described as extending the vocabularies of art and design. Researchers often explore the territory between different disciplines, sometimes in a collaborative and participatory way – for example, artists and designers may work with the sciences, film, dance, music, curation, health and wellbeing and performance, while examining issues around sustainability, climate emergency and site-specificity.
This theme covers research which encompasses the exploration of ideas specifically through the use of materials and making, and research in art and design which explores new/digital media and the networked image including the impact digital media has on the presentation and interpretation of culture in museum collections. This may include the interplay between digital and physical materials as well as experimentation with print and materials. For example, as a result of Covid-19, cultural audiences must now encounter the materiality of physical art, design and craft-based outputs through virtual, often networked experiences.
Check out our upcoming events and latest research news stories:
The University of Sunderland has launched a pioneering new scholarship to tackle gender inequality in the arts and creative industries. The Scholarship for Women in the Arts and Creative Industries aims to break down the barriers that prevent talented women around the world from pursuing and excelling in creative careers in media, film and the arts.
Read more about the new scholarship
Fashion students at the University of Sunderland have teamed up with Teesside fashion brand Neuthread to create a line of clothing made entirely from fabric offcuts that were destined for landfill.
Read more about our fashion students' project
Lifelong Black Cats fans can see their 1973 FA Cup memorabilia officially brought to life in a new book marking 50 years since Sunderland won the cup at Wembley. The project celebrates one of the most significant events in the history of Sunderland – the 1973 FA Cup – reflecting upon the experiences of supporters during the Bob Stokoe era.
Read more about Sunderland 73: The People’s Visual History
Check back to see upcoming events in Art and Design.