Doctoral Training for Practitioners: ADAPTr (Architecture, Design and Art Practice Research) a European Commission Marie Curie Initial Training Network

Abstract

The aim of the European Union Marie Curie Initial Training Network Grant ‘Architecture Design and Art Practice research’ (ADAPTr) is to mobilise the adoption of a practice approach to doctoral research training, and enable seven European universities to: explore its applicability to their contexts; adopt this proven approach to doctoral training through the establishment of an open supervisory network; develop allied support resources; achieve substantial engagement of SMEs (small and medium enterprises) in doctoral training; conduct research into this innovative approach (Blythe et al.,2013). The core feature of this approach to doctoral training is the premise that new knowledges are developed through certain kinds of creative practice (identified as ‘venturous’ ) from which research can be ‘extracted’. [1] ADAPTr provides a model that fills an internationally identified gap in postgraduate training. It involves reflection on an existing body of peer-acknowledged work and reflection during the production of new works produced concurrently with and informing the doctoral research. The works, processes and methods of the practice are placed in a broader disciplinary context which allows the research to be theorised from within the practice discipline and to clearly identify contributions to disciplinary knowledge. Thus, the research work of the PhD examines, and is also transformative of, the practice within which it is situated. This chapter will provide an overview of this approach to doctoral training with specific reference to ADAPTr and the grant’s key research work packages.