Research and Innovation ( R&I ) (10 credits) focuses on the 'how' and the 'why' of research methodologies and the means of validation available. Students are faced with the following questions: How do you go about doing what you do? Why do you do what you do? How does your work compare to contemporary models of best practice in your field? And finally, can you define its relevance in relation to these?

R&I familiarizes students with a range of working processes and approaches in a variety of creative practices. They consider the range of debates therein (issues of sustainability, diversity, methodological concerns, etc.) and the contested nature of creative practice.

R&I lays the foundations for students to locate their practice within the wider competitive field, taking cognizance of new strategies and approaches in research and innovation.

This will proceed through a series of workshops which will culminate in the student giving two seminar presentations on their practice. The first focuses on key terms, ideas and debates defining their area of practice, the second considers models of best practice defining their field. This material is drawn together for a final R&I essay which aims to integrate practical concerns with a critical contextualization; an integration that will be underpinned by a thorough understanding of methodological concerns and strategies for innovation.

1. Reveal a knowledge and understanding of the diversity of working processes in a variety of creative practices

2. Articulate the key ideas and debates defining theirarea of practice – from subject specific and methodological concerns to wider questions such as diversity and sustainability

3. Situate their own practice in relation to best models of practice defining their field

4. Implement self-reflexive critical thinking in relation to their own working practice and research methods

5. Source appropriate information through library and internet research tools and evaluate the quality of material uncovered

6. Deliver a professional presentation through the seminar format and the written word

Themes and Issues (T&I) (10 credits) provides students with a broad overview of existing practices, themes and debates though a series of lectures, seminars, field trips and symposia. Lectures present case studies of successful practices. Students work collaboratively to produce team-based seminars and introduce, outline and discuss a selected theme or topic of concern. Field trips identify exhibitions and film festivals worth visiting. The symposium extends discussion beyond the seminar room into the public realm to engage with the wider cultural community.

1. Display a thorough knowledge and understanding of current debates and issues within contemporary creative practices.
2. Ability to work collaboratively to initiate, develop and present a coherent overview that defines a core element of contemporary practice through the seminar format
3. Display advanced communication skills, an expertise in presentation technologies and a confidence in fielding and conducting seminar group discussion
4. Critically assess original, innovative and unfamiliar approaches and the new possibilites arising from group dynamic as a participant in the seminar process
5. Ability to discern relevant themes and issues, including sustainability and ethical concerns defining contemporary creative practice and to select, integrate and synthesise these concepts within their practice.

This module equips students with the knowledge and skills to develop professional strategies appropriate to their practice and their aspirations for future careers within the creative industries. The student will develop project proposals that include marketing, business and public engagement strategies that are informed by the demands of a competitive creative sector. They will also develop a professional public platform for their creative practice that adequately articulates the depth and breadth of their project research through the development of a social media platform,website or publication. The module will also help the student to optimise the opportunity of the MA show and use it as a launch for a professional career as artist, designer, filmmaker or other creative practitioner.

1. Engage in group discussion and learning in relation to different forms of public presentation/ engagement – e.g. exhibition, websites, social media platforms, public art projects, film screenings and art publications

2. Develop and maintain an online public profile through a social media platform or website along with a marketing and engagementstrategy for career development

3. Manage projects, prepare and assess costings, develop business/project plans including budget, timeline, risk assessments, plan and implement marketing and promotion of an individual or group project or business

4. Apply in-depth knowledge and understanding of cultural and strategicpolicies/plans and sustainabilityandapply knowledge and understanding ofthese policies and concerns to the development of applications and proposals

5. Identify, interact and engage constructively with potential audience/clients, industry professionals and cultural institutions through research, developing mailing lists ,via social media and web- based engagement and interaction and general profession practice

This is the largest module in this course, consisting of 60 of the 90 credits. It concentrates on the student initiating a research proposal which will then be guided and developed to completion by the end of the module.

There are two strands to this module.

First, a practice-based element where the student focuses on developing their art, film, digital media or socially engaged practice to completion.

The second strand, the Critical Review, seeks to critically contextualize their practice through the written form, taking into consideration the wider social and cultural fields in which their practice will perform.

Teaching proceeds through one-to-one and group tutorials and critiques. The project culminates with the production of a final exhibition, film screening or project presentation.

1. Ability to complete a final research project at an advanced professional level for public engagement/exhibition, taking it through proposal, planning and final stages to completion

2. Demonstrateadvanced knowledge of essential research skills to locate and access relevant material through exhibitions, screenings, symposia, libraries, archives, data bases and other resource centres

3. Apply analytical and research skills through the consideration of challenging exhibitions, film, written texts and visual artifacts

4. Reflect critically upon their own practice in relation to competing models of practice and competing value systems at play within contemporary creative practices. These can range from methodological concerns to wider ethical concerns such asdiversity and sustainability

5. Display core research and writing skills necessary for the production of a critically reflective contextualisation of their practice

This module begins with a practice-based research proposal which will be guided and developed to completion by the end of the course. The student will focus on developing their art, design, film, digital media or socially engaged practice project to completion. The outputs will include a tangible output and a short research report.Teaching proceeds through one-to-one and group tutorials. The project culminates with the production of a final exhibition, film screening or project presentation.

1. Execute a practice-based research project at an advanced professional level for commercial application or public exhibition, taking it through proposal, planning, research, development and final stages to completion.
2. Apply advanced knowledge and application of research skills to locate and access relevant material through exhibitions, screenings, symposia, libraries, archives, data bases and other resource centres.
3. Use and adapt analytical and research skills in the consideration of challenging exhibitions, film, written texts and visual artifacts. Thiscan include a range of considerations, from methodological concerns to wider ethical concerns such asdiversity and sustainability.

4. Demonstrate mastery of research and writing skills required for the production of practice-based research reports

This module seeks to critically contextualize the students practice and projects through the written form, taking into consideration the wider social and cultural fields in which their practice will perform. Teaching proceeds through one-to-one and group tutorials. The project culminates with the production of written thesis.

1. Apply advanced research skills to bridge practical and theoretical methods to locate and access relevant material through exhibitions, screenings, symposia, libraries, archives, data bases and other resource centres.
2. Apply analytical and research skills through the consideration of challenging exhibitions, film, written texts and visual artifacts.
3. Reflect critically upon their own practice in relation to competing models of practice and competing value systems at play within contemporary creative practices.Thiscan range from a consideration of methodological concerns to wider ethical concerns such asdiversity and sustainability.

4. Display advanced research and writing skills necessary for the production of a critically reflective contextualisation of their practice