Sustainable Co-Creative Practices in Arts/Culture-led Placemaking Initiatives

The C3 Centre: Creative Industries and Creative Communities

A practice-led project which will focus on developing an effective sustainability framework for large-scale partnership projects that engage in participatory culture-led regeneration of places.

This practice-as-research or practice-based project will focus on developing an effective sustainability framework for large-scale partnership projects that engage in participatory culture-led regeneration of places.

This is a practice-based PhD, being embedded in a partnership involved in large-scale cultural delivery with art-led regeneration as its aim. Thus, this PhD will complement the work, as well as be independent of it: it will focus particularly on the sustainability aspects of strategic culture-led and participatory initiatives. Sustainability here is understood as having three dimensions (environmental, economic, and social), all three of which will be considered in the context of arts-led approaches to place shaping and place-making.

The PhD is designed to develop both new knowledge and a framework that supports future creative stakeholders to attend to sustainability aspects of their strategic cultural initiatives by specifically focusing on questions of:

  • The role of cultural and creative co-creation in relation to understanding medium to long-term sustainability (environmental, social, economic)
  • What new tools or processes would help increase sustainability for creative/cultural programming, education, cultural enterprise and outreach?
  • The identification of underpinning infrastructures needed to sustain participatory place-shaping processes.
  • The processes and systemic prerequisites for continued innovation in developing social capital through arts and cultural initiatives.

Considering the interrelationship to creative leadership, community development (instead of community engagement), community resilience, motivational factors, drive, incentivisation, etc.

Funding

This PhD is offered on a self-funded basis 

Details of all postgraduate fees and funding can be found here
(Fees and finance - Staffordshire University (staffs.ac.uk)

Supervisory team

Professor Carola Boehm

Professor

Having degrees both from the arts (music) as well as the sciences (electrical engineering, computer science) I am a genuine interdisciplinarian.

Carola's profile

Anna Francis

Professor

Anna Francis is an artist, educator and researcher whose work aims to create space to discuss and reframe city resources, through participatory art interventions.

Anna's profile

Nicola Gratton

Lead Civic Eng'Ment & Evalu - Assoc Prof

Nicola leads on civic and community engagement strategy for Staffordshire University and is also an active participatory action researcher, supporting others to take part in researching and addressing issues that affect them.

Nicola's profile

Dr Agata Lulkowska

Associate Professor

Dr Agata Lulkowska is a Senior Lecturer in Film Production in the Department of Film, Media and Journalism. Agata’s background is in film practice, installations and photography.

Agata's profile

Course requirements

A relevant first degree. (essential)

An MA or equivalent degree in a related topic/theme/discipline. (essential)

Evidence of experience or understanding of the cultural sector and culture-led regeneration. (desirable)

How to apply

To apply for a self-funded PhD, please complete the Enquiry Form and clearly indicate which PhD project you are applying for

Apply now

Contact Us

Carola Boehm

Professor

Start dates
Friday 30 June 2023
Saturday 30 September 2023
Contact
in the UK for Quality Education

Sustainable Development Goal 4, Times Higher Education Impact Rankings 2024

for Career Prospects

Whatuni Student Choice Awards 2023

for Facilities

Whatuni Student Choice Awards 2023

for Social Inclusion

The Times and The Sunday Times Good University Guide 2023

of Research Impact is ‘Outstanding’ or ‘Very Considerable’

Research Excellence Framework 2021

of Research is “Internationally Excellent” or “World Leading”

Research Excellence Framework 2021

Four Star Rating

QS Star Ratings 2021