The Glasgow School of Art is set to partner with Bangor University, who will be leading on a major AHRC Doctoral Focal Award, the Celtic Crescent Creative Economy, which will fund 20 PhDs. These prestigious awards, announced by the Arts and Humanities Research Council (AHRC), are designed to deliver sector-leading doctoral training that develops research capacity in strategic areas, tackles societal challenges through interdisciplinary arts and humanities research, and prepares students for diverse careers within and beyond academia. They also aim to address underrepresentation, close skills gaps, and strengthen collaboration between academia, industry, and communities for wider societal benefit.
The Glasgow School of Art is joined in the consortium by Aberystwyth University, Falmouth University, the University of Aberdeen, the Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama, and the University of South Wales. The consortium is supported by 27 industry and sectoral partners, including MG Alba, The Harris Tweed Authority, Bòrd na Gàidhlig, and Historic Environment Scotland. The award aligns closely with the AHRC’s vision to support interdisciplinary, impactful research that contributes to a healthier, more creative UK.
Dr Gina Wall, Programme Director GSA Highlands & Islands, and Co-Lead on the award said:
“The breadth of experience that is held across the consortium within the academic, industry and creative community is truly exceptional. It is a privilege to be working with the Project Lead Professor Ruth McElroy, Head of the School of Arts, Culture and Language at Bangor University, on this incredible opportunity to change the way in which we think about creative doctoral study. Celtic Crescent’s focus on bilingual, multidisciplinary research, delivered in place through collaborative, creative practice, recognises the vital role that rural, coastal, island and multilingual communities play in the UK’s creative economy and in networks of social wellbeing.”
PhD students will be provided with creative practice research opportunities in collaboration with industry partners and community organisations. The focus will be on developing skills for a creative future that supports career pathways both within and beyond academia, particularly in underrepresented areas and sectors.
AHRC Executive Chair Professor Christopher Smith said “Introducing Focal Awards allows us to support cohorts of students in centres for excellence for strategically valuable areas such as health and the creative economy. In the future this approach will allow us, in consultation with the sector, to provide support where it is needed to disciplines across the arts and humanities, vital skills and digital humanities. But the scope for individual projects is wide and autonomy for researchers remains as important as ever.
“The Focal Awards exemplify AHRC’s approach to doctoral training and our ambition for a sustainable portfolio providing support for training, investigator-led research, strategic direction and building the infrastructure necessary for people and ideas for the future of arts and humanities.”
This award follows the announcement in July of a significant investment in a seven-year programme of doctoral study and enterprise training led by The Glasgow School of Art, which will support PhD researchers and developing talent based in rural Scottish communities, helping to address regional inequalities and underrepresentation. Further information on this announcement can be found on the GSA media centre.
For further information please contact press@gsa.ac.uk.
Notes For Editors
About the Arts and Humanities Research Council
The UKRI Arts and Humanities Research Council (AHRC) funds internationally outstanding independent researchers across the whole range of the arts and humanities: history, archaeology, digital content, philosophy, languages and literature, design, heritage, area studies, the creative and performing arts, and much more. The quality and range of research supported by AHRC works for the good of UK society and culture and contributes both to UK economic success and to the culture and welfare of societies across the globe.
About The Glasgow School of Art (GSA)
The Glasgow School of Art (GSA) is internationally recognised as one of Europe’s leading independent university-level institutions for education and research in the visual creative disciplines. Our studio-based, specialist, practice-led teaching, learning and research draw talented individuals with a shared passion for visual culture and creative production from all over the world. Originally founded in 1845 as one of the first Government Schools of Design, the School’s history can be traced back to 1753 and the establishment of the Foulis Academy delivering a European-style art education. Today, the GSA is an international community of over 3500 students and staff across architecture, design, fine art, innovation and technology in our campuses in Glasgow and Altyre (in the Scottish Highlands) and a thriving Open Studio programme delivering non-degree provision to over 1500 students annually.
