Arts Management & Cultural Policy - Research

Overview

You will be part of a growing doctoral research environment and will study alongside students from Northern Ireland and abroad.



We supervise students undertaking research in:

• The design and delivery of cultural policy and the interpretation of these processes by arts managers and

policy makers

• The attachment of social policy areas to cultural policy

• The social processes of cultural production within institutional settings

• Access, participation and audience development in the arts

• Issues of equality and diversity

• Internationalisation and transnational exchange

• Reception of art and culture

• Institutional, historical and social frameworks for the making and displaying of art and heritage

• Impact of arts and cultural work



We are also interested in projects developed through interdisciplinary approaches and supervision teams:

• The management and governance of cultural sectors and institutions

• Sustainability and relevance of business models for arts management

• Evolving theories of cultural economy and cultural ecology

• The impact of new technologies on arts and cultural industries management and cultural policymaking



Subject Summary

The School welcomes applications for research, which are underpinned by empirical and/or theoretical methodologies. We are also interested in action-research and practice-based methods as well as those methods that are stakeholder engaged, inclusive and/or collaborative. We have a strong commitment to the development of interdisciplinary approaches that take account of culture, policy and management as historical and social processes.



Course structure

Arts management and cultural policy is an interdisciplinary area of study. As such, there is no specific course content and no single approach to doctoral study. You are expected to take research training modules relevant to your area in this and other relevant Schools which focus on quantitative and qualitative research or humanities based methods. You are also expected to carry out your research under the guidance of your supervisor but the process is a self-guided independent study.



You will also be invited to take part in any research seminars associated with staff and other PhD students on the programme. Over the course of study you can attend postgraduate skills training organised by the Graduate School. Doctoral candidates studying in English as a Second Language are expected to avail of further training in aspects of academic writing and research.



You will normally register, in the first instance, as an 'undifferentiated PhD student' which means that you have satisfied staff that you are capable of undertaking a research degree. The decision as to whether you should undertake an MPhil or a PhD is delayed until you have completed 'differentiation'. Differentiation takes place about 9-12 months after registration for full time students and about 18-30 months for part time students: You are normally asked to submit work to a panel of up two academics and this is followed up with a formal meeting with the ‘Differentiation Panel’. The Panel then make a judgement about your capacity to continue with your study. Sometimes students are advised to revise their research objectives or to consider submitting their work for an MPhil qualification rather than a doctoral qualification. To complete with a doctoral qualification you will be required to submit a thesis of approx. 80,000 words and you will be required to attend a viva voce [oral examination] with an external and internal examiner to defend your thesis. A PhD Programme runs for 3-4 years full-time or 6-8 years part-time. Students can apply for a writing up year should it be required. The PhD is open to both full and part time candidates and is often a useful preparation for a career within academia or consultancy. Full time students are often attracted to research degree programmes because they offer an opportunity to pursue in some depth an area of academic interest. The part time research degree is an exciting option for professionals already working in the arts and cultural sector or policy area who are seeking to extend their knowledge on an issue of professional interest. Often part time candidates choose to research an area that is related to their professional responsibilities. If you meet the Entry Requirements, the next step is to check whether we can supervise research in your chosen area. We only take students to whom we can offer expert research supervision from one of our academic staff. Therefore, your research question needs to engage with the research interests of one of our staff. Your proposal to be considered for PhD study should show clearly how your project will align to the research interests and specialisms of BOTH our discipline here at QUB AND the staff member you think might be your supervisor.

Graduate

A 2.1 Honours degree or equivalent qualification acceptable to the University. While a Master's degree (or equivalent qualification acceptable to the University) is not essential, it is desirable and applicants without this qualification will be considered on a case-by-case basis.

How to Apply

Apply using our online Postgraduate Applications Portal and follow the step-by-step instructions on how to apply.

Assessment processes for the Research Degree differ from taught degrees. Students will be expected to present drafts of their work at regular intervals to their supervisor who will provide written and oral feedback; a formal assessment process takes place annually. 

This Annual Progress Review requires students to present their work in writing and orally to a panel of academics from within the School. Successful completion of this process will allow students to register for the next academic year. 

The final assessment of the doctoral degree is both oral and written. Students will submit their thesis to an internal and external examining team who will review the written thesis before inviting the student to orally defend their work at a Viva Voce.

6 Academic Years (Part-time) / 3 Academic Years (Full-time).

Entry Year: Academic Year 2025/26

Career Prospects

We encourage applicants who are interested in further academic work or work within the arts and cultural or public policy sector. Queen's postgraduates reap exceptional benefits. Unique initiatives, such as Degree Plus and Researcher Plus bolster our commitment to employability.



Employment after the Course

For further information on career development opportunities at PhD level please contact the Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences Career Development Team on ahssdevoffice@qub.ac.uk / +44 28 9097 5175. Development Officers Cathy Wilson and Aileen Carson will be happy to provide further information on your research area career prospects.

You'll be part of a growing doctoral research environment and will study alongside students Northern Ireland and abroad; we supervise students undertaking research in;

• The design and delivery of cultural policy and the interpretation of these processes by arts managers and

policy makers

• The attachment of social policy areas to cultural policy

• The social processes of cultural production within institutional settings

• Access, participation and audience development in the arts

• Issues of equality and diversity

• Internationalisation and transnational exchange

• Reception of art and culture

• Institutional, historical and social frameworks for the making and displaying of art and heritage

• Impact of arts and cultural work


We are also interested in projects developed through interdisciplinary approaches

and supervision teams:

• The management and governance of cultural sectors and institutions

• Sustainability and relevance of business models for arts management

• The impact of new technologies on arts management and cultural policymaking