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Art and Design

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.

Research areas

Art, Design and Society

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.

Materials, Materiality and Media

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.

News and events

Check out our upcoming events and latest research news stories:

Upcoming events

Establishing Equitable Multispecies Co-creation in the Arts

Wednesday 5 February 2025, 4-5pm, A&D Research Seminar, Online (Teams)

Inga Hamilton, AHRC PhD candidate, Faculty of Education, Society and Creative Industries.

The arts have long used non-human species as resource, product or subject. Inga Hamilton's research has developed a new artistic genre based on a methodology of equitable multispecies co-creation. This seminar explores ways of decolonising the studio and foregrounding multispecies belonging in our work.

Contact alexandra.moschovi@sunderland.ac.uk to attend.

Artwork named Cake as Protection IIC with an Apricot Leafminer Larva

Image credit: Inga Hamilton, Cake as Protection: IIC with an Apricot Leafminer Larva. Grub ring 2023, tree resin, birch wood, water-based sealant, 600mm x 700mm x 700mm.

Building Research Networks: The Case of Museum Dialogues

Wednesday, 21 May 2025, 4-5pm, A&D Research Seminar, Online (Teams)

Prof Alexandra Moschovi, Professor of Photography/Curating, Research Student Manager for Art and Design, Faculty of Education, Society and Creative Industries

Funded by the Arts and Humanities Research Council, Museum Dialogues is a cross-disciplinary, transnational research network that unites scholars, archivists, curators, museum workers, and art and photography practitioners to exchange innovative solutions, inquiries, and practical challenges relating to the exhibition, collection, and interpretation of photography

As Principal Investigator of the project, Alexandra Moschovi will be discussing the process behind the creation of the network, its operations, findings, and broader impact within and beyond museum contexts.

 Contact alexandra.moschovi@sunderland.ac.uk to attend.

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