PhD application

I have been preoccupied with writing a PhD proposal for the University of Westminster. Once the idea of doing a PhD occurred, and having learned more about what they actually are, I decided to have a go. I've found putting the proposal together really difficult - it's hard to hone in on an area so specifically - the more you focus, the more you have to edit out other perfectly feasible areas of research and interest. I've done my best to apply what I've learned from recent talks:
http://eleanormacfarlane.blogspot.co.uk/2013/11/phd-research-anna-fox.html

http://eleanormacfarlane.blogspot.co.uk/2013/11/unpicking-and-rebinding-les-bicknell.html

Angela and Caroline have been totally brilliant in pointing out things I need to clarify. My first drafts were quite woolly, but at least towards an area of study. At last through many drafts, I have an area of research that is totally embedded in my art practice. I may blog my proposal when I have the finished version. What's more, it's something I truly want to pursue and spend the next few years doing.

As for the MA, I have been thinking through parts of what is to come, but not really working on it yet - still collecting found paintings.
http://eleanormacfarlane.blogspot.co.uk/2013/11/towards-exhibition-proposal.html
Looking at what the PhD involves has made me realise that I am only beginning to get to research in the MA. The PhD proposal has been a research into what research I might possibly do, with a view to then doing some proper research, if you follow. I may well have other applications to do in my pursuit of a funded programme.

This research, my revised bibliography and new insight into possibilities, has been far from a distraction, and I expect to feed it all back into the MA.

14th January 2014

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It has taken about half a year, but I have now had my interview for a PhD at UAL Chelsea last week on the 21st of May. I had truly done just about everything I could to prepare for it, and made sure I followed up every piece of advice and point to cover. I practised my 10 minute presentation and made it more human, more about me and my discoveries rather than the theories. I tried to cover points about disciple, feedback to artist communities, current thinking, and many other aspects. I had thought through many possible questions I might be asked so that I could at least have a position. I read many papers in the field and researched and read works by my interviewers. I made sure I was at least familiar with everything I mentioned in my proposal and presentation, and that it all was coherent. And so I was about as ready as I could be.

The interview seemed to go well, and after it I was pleased, relived and energised. I know some parts had gone well, and nothing went very wrong. I didn't collapse or go blank. My presentation went quite well and to time, although I surprised myself rather in some of the things I said which were quite new ideas to me! The interviewers were really lovely and I think helped me to do quite well - their questions were open and often like discussions, and I know I responded with interesting and coherent ideas.

And yet now that I am waiting for the outcome, I am rather haunted by some of the things I said. There was one question in particular that I wished I had thought of taking a pause before answering. It was an incisive question, but I worked my way round to answering it by starting off a little defensively.

The whole interview was really like a tutorial in effect, because I really learned a lot from it and feel my whole PhD subject moved on. The defensive question was all about positioning myself - pedagogy / fine art, and although I have thought it over a lot since the interview and it has benefited my understanding, I can see how something like that can cost doing the PhD. Anyway I have taken several points on board from the interview, to feed into the whole PhD area.

I don't know. I hope so. I never would have thought even a year ago that this might be the way for me, but it seems logical now and the right pathway - to research this area thoroughly, make work and write about creativity.

30th May 2014

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Did I mention that I did not get the PhD place at UAL. Of course that's a bit disappointing, but as mentioned above, I only gained from the whole experience. I have some clear ideas about how I can improve and clarify my proposal, and I certainly intend to apply again. Hey, I got to interview, and that went rather well, so that's progress. It's not the sort of thing you can't feel too upset about, after all, it's nothing like a right to do a PhD. It's quite a privilege.

I'm thinking of it rather as people approach their driving test - not many pass first time.

9th June 2014

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Further further thoughts about a PhD.

Naturally, if I had secured that PhD place I would be geared up to start straight after the MA, and would consider the advantages of doing so. However, now that beyond the MA is becoming real after four solid years, I am thinking, considering and reconsidering options. It feels like freedom, and although I will look again at reworking my proposal and applying for a PhD again, it now feels like an advantage to allow the MA to settle and reverberate into what will be a new phase in life.

I really benefited from the application and proposal writing process, and learned a lot about how to go about things and about what ideas really drive me.

I may, I may not pursue a PhD - I will decide that in due course once I am clear of the MA, but one thing I know is that whatever I do I am not finished with the academic and research side of art practice.

14th August 2014