Project Highlights:
- A transdisciplinary approach – working across media studies, cultural informatics, arts management
- Driven by action research – testing and developing ideas in and through practice with a partnering social enterprise
- Embedded within a new Research Institute – benefiting from the support and inspiration of an emerging community of scholars helping the culture sector to adapt to a digital age.
Project Summary
The cycles of technological innovation have frequently dominated debates in the social sciences. In the area of digital culture, one vivid example has been the consequences of the decentralised, distributed architectures enabled by blockchain – not least its uses in currency issuing and in the artistic sector (through NFTs).
This studentship will allow an outstanding PhD candidate to critically examine the uses of those technologies in the creative and cultural industries (Cossu, 2022a; 2022b), exploring the changes in the years to come from a ‘post-hype’ perspective.
Existing research on blockchain and the arts has typically been limited to single case studies. The opportunity, therefore, is for a more comprehensive understanding of how blockchain is impacting upon the creative and arts sector more systemically. In general, researchers often study blockchain through technological, monetary, legal, and ideological lenses (Chohan 2017). What is missing is an account of how these technologies address longstanding issue in the field of art and creative work, such as inequality, and the lack of inclusivity and diversity (O’Brien 2021).
With the support of its project partner (Creative United), this studentship will offer a chance to explore real world practices, the everyday of the artistic, cultural and creative work by analysing its interplay with emerging technologies. Creative United is an innovation driven social enterprise, its mission to enable increased access and inclusion in the arts and creative industries. Its work includes programmes that help reduce the financial barriers to participation in the arts, as well as those that look to address the inequalities faced by disabled people and those from lower socio-economic backgrounds. Creative United work with partners across the public and private sectors and have a special focus on participation in music and contemporary visual arts.
The PhD Scholarship will be based at the university’s new Institute for Digital Culture, aligning with its core objective of delivering research that is purposeful and useful for cultural organisations, professional bodies, and communities of practice in their transition to a new digital environment.
Start date: Sept 2023
Eligibility:
UK and International* applicants are welcome to apply.
Entry requirements:
Applicants are required to hold/or expect to obtain a UK Bachelor Degree 2:1 or better in a relevant subject or overseas equivalent.
The University of Leicester English language requirements may apply.
To apply
Please refer to the information and How to Apply section on our web site https://le.ac.uk/study/research-degrees/funded-opportunities/future-50-ri
Please ensure you include the project reference, supervisor and project title on your application.
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