New insights effectively shared: originality and new knowledge in Creative Arts postgraduate degrees

Abstract

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to promote narrative inquiry as a legitimate research approach for artists undertaking postgraduate research higher degrees. Design/methodology/approach This paper takes the form of a literature review describing practice-led research. It draws heavily on theories of art to support its claims. Findings In creative arts postgraduate research degrees, where the thesis is delivered in the form of artifacts and an exegesis, new knowledge and understandings are produced in two fields. In the first of these two fields, new theoretical knowledge detailing the conceptual basis for the creative work may contribute to the understanding of the purpose and nature of art. The second field of new knowledge involves artifacts as they can enlarge knowledge about what the author feel and know through images that illuminate experiences and understandings of life. The development and delivery of these forms of new knowledge occur in an interdependent manner. Originality/value The original contribution of this paper is the manner in which artifacts are shown to demonstrate the theoretical knowledge claims articulated in the exegesis Furthermore, this paper highlights the significance and value of new knowledge and the manner in which this knowledge is effectively shared.

Metaphors for doctoral research: Fundamental tenets & creative courage

“…A doctoral award is an esteemed formal academic qualification that obligates candidates to apply analytical and critical skills, an inquiring mind and creative acumen, along with a capacity for independent hard work. To gain a doctoral award, candidates navigate the ambiguous nature of research and maintain momentum over three to four years of full-time study, or up to eight years of part-time study, to establish and effectively share new insights and new knowledge (Arnold, 2012;Glade-Wright, 2017). Unsettling experiences during the candidature -including time pressures, maladaptive self-concepts and confusion -can weigh heavily on candidates and result in wellbeing issues and attrition (Di Benedetto et al, 2021;Evans et al, 2018;Stanley, 2015).…”