Call for Papers: "New Media/New Terrain: Pioneering a PhD in Creative Research"

Conference: CAA Chicago 2010 - New Media Caucus Affiliated Society Panel
Panel Chair: Jessica Walker

In the field of new media art there continues to be an increase of PhD programs that emphasize studio practice within their curricula. This is due in part to the interdisciplinary nature of new media, as it is a creative field that also encompasses areas of scientific research and cultural studies where the doctoral degree is regarded as the highest level of investigation. The implications of doctoral degrees within the field of new media need to be addressed to better understand how advanced research is forming new territories for artists to inhabit. This panel will bring together members from new media institutions that consider studio art practice an integral component of PhD candidature. Through this discussion, the new media community will gain perspective on how PhD research can differ from MFA research, how advanced research can shape an artist’s career and practice, how an artist’s creative investigations can be structured as doctoral research and how members from key new media institutions see the PhD influencing the field.

Panel questions will include:

* What are some reasons you/your students are working towards/have completed a PhD in new media?
* In what ways do you see PhD research in new media differing from MFA research in new media?
* How do you/your students present creative work as doctoral research?
* What are some challenges an artist faces when manifesting his/her practice as doctoral research?
* How do you see the emergence of the PhD influencing the field of new media?
* How is creative exploration measured by traditional doctoral research standards or are new standards being written to reflect studio practice as doctoral research?

Interested candidates should electronically submit a paper abstract, bio and CV to Jessica Walker at jessica.ann.walker@gmail.com by September 15, 2009. The selected panelists will be notified by October 15, 2009. The CAA conference will be held in Chicago from February 10th - 13th, 2010. Travel arrangements to Chicago will be the panelists’ responsibility.