Creative Digital Interpretations of Cultural Assets and Archives

About the Project

Many cultural assets and archives are hidden or difficult for audiences to access for reasons including lack of physical space or lack of resources. Often these are smaller, niche collections held outside of well-known museums and galleries. Novel forms of creative interpretation can play an important role in widening access to these collections for diverse audiences. Digital forms of communication are becoming familiar as methods of storytelling and education in the context of cultural archives, and this PhD project aims to advance work in this domain with a particular focus on creative novelty and design for engaging audience experiences.

Applicants are expected to build on existing skills in digital creative practice and user experience (UX). Interest and experience in some the following types of technologies would be relevant, however these are not exclusive nor mandatory: Virtual, Augmented or Mixed Reality; 3D Scanning, Motion Capture.

Academic qualifications

Have, or expect to achieve by the time of start of the studentship a first-class honours degree, or a distinction at master level, ideally in Digital Media, User Experience, Art and Design, Creative Technology, Interaction Design.

English language requirement

IELTS score must be at least 6.5 (with not less than 6.0 in each of the four components). Other, equivalent qualifications will be accepted. Full details of the University’s policy are available online.

Essential attributes:

• Experience of fundamental aspects of creative media practice
• Competent in creative media production
• An interest in education and/or cultural interpretation
• Subject knowledge: User Experience Design, Digital Media

APPLICATION CHECKLIST

• Completed application form
• CV
• 2 academic references, using the Postgraduate Educational Reference Form (download)
• Research project outline of 2 pages (list of references excluded). The outline may provide details about:
  1. Background and motivation of the project. The motivation, explaining the importance of the project, should be supported also by relevant literature. You can also discuss the applications you expect for the project results.
  2. Research questions or objectives.
  3. Methodology: types of data to be used, approach to data collection, and data analysis methods.
  4. List of references.
• The outline must be created solely by the applicant. Supervisors can only offer general discussions about the project idea without providing any additional support.
• Statement no longer than 1 page describing your motivations and fit with the project.
• Evidence of proficiency in English (if appropriate)

To be considered, the application must use

• the advertised title as project title

For informal enquiries about this PhD project, please contact Dr Ingi Helgason (Email: i.helgason@napier.ac.uk)

References

Bibliography and illustrative examples: Istvandity, L., Baker, S., & Long, P. (2024). Creative futures for cultural heritage: a typology of creative practice in the GLAM sector – towards a creative heritage approach. Museum Management and Curatorship, 1–17. https://doi.org/10.1080/09647775.2024.2331444
The Heritage Fund. Interpretation good practice guidance. https://www.heritagefund.org.uk/funding/good-practice-guidance/interpretation
Witches of Islandmagee Project, Andrew Sneddon & Victoria McCollum. https://w1711.org/about-me/