Research Assistant in Fine Art (The Summer Lodge)

Nottingham Trent University – School of Art & Design

College/Department: College of Art & Design and Built Environment

Location: City Site

Additional Information: This is a full time, fixed term post for up to 6 months subject to QR funding and/or project completion

Nottingham Trent University’s new strategic vision focuses on creating the University of the Future (www.ntu.ac.uk/strategy). Research that shapes lives and society is central to our mission and the achievement of our aims. We value what research is, what it does and we aim to support those who undertake it.

Nottingham Trent University’s Fine Art Research Group is looking to appoint a Research Assistant to carry out research into The Summer Lodge, a 2-week artistic research residency held in the Fine Art studios each summer since 2009.

The role of the successful applicant will be to:

  • Develop an in-depth understanding of the consequences of the Summer Lodge, by tracking outcomes, networks, collaborations and other effects that have developed from it.
  • Identify the role the Summer Lodge has in terms of both practice based research and pedagogy and develop in-depth knowledge/understanding of its importance for the wider discipline of Fine Art.
  • Analyse the data generated and develop this into research outcome(s) as journal article(s) and conference paper(s).
  • Develop an interview-based research process with a sample (circa 20%) of past participants working closely with the Summer Lodge Coordinator.
  • Develop a questionnaire for the wider group of artist participants and student studio assistants, delivering, processing and analysing both research instruments. Review relevant research in art pedagogy, particularly as it relates to professional art, and equivalent types of practice.
  • Evaluate and organize responses from interviews, questionnaires and produce a report that reviews the literature.
  • Produce research outputs in appropriate from and locations, such as journal articles, and conferences.

These duties will draw on your knowledge and experience of conducting qualitative research, and your ability to communicate face to face and in writing. You will also use subject knowledge in artistic practice, art theory and art pedagogy to help understand the results.

The successful candidate will be educated to degree level or equivalent in an appropriate subject area such as Education, Fine Art, Education or Cultural Policy. The ideal candidate will also be educated to Masters level.

In addition to this, it is essential that you have knowledge and experience of standard research techniques and methods in qualitative research coupled with an expertise in the appropriate computer packages. Relevant work experience in working in an academic environment would also be beneficial.

Interview date – 05 January 2016  (Please note there will be no alternative date for interview)

If you have any specific queries in relation to this position, please contact Professor Tom Fisher, Professor in Art and Design, on +44 0115 848 8455 or via email tom.fisher@ntu.ac.uk