In partnership with Distrito Castellana Norte and Kingston's department of Architecture.
Kingston School of Art and Distrito Castellana Norte, S.A. ("DCN") welcome applications for an AHRC-funded Collaborative Doctoral Partnership studentship: Curating Urban Futures: "Meanwhile" Tactics in the Context of Urban Regeneration Strategies. This is offered under the TECHNE Doctoral Training Partnership Scheme, to begin in October 2021.
Deadline for Expressions of Interest:
Monday 25 January 2021: 5.00pm (GMT)
Interviews week commencing 1 February 2021.
Project supervisors
Dr Jana Scholze, School of Critical Studies and Creative Industries and Dr Christoph Lueder, School of Art and Architecture in collaboration with Gema del Pozo of DCN and Dr Almudena Cano.
Project Vision
Large scale, complex urban regeneration projects brought about by transformation of transport infrastructure are profoundly shaping urban futures of European cities. London's King's Cross project is a prominent example; among other major redevelopment urban projects in Europe, it has served as an inspiration for Madrid Nuevo Norte (MNN). MNN is an ongoing urban regeneration project led by Madrid Town Hall and developed mainly by DCN, our project partner.
Comprising 230 ha of urban land, MNN will proceed in stages over the next 24 years; the project will reinforce and unite neighbourhoods currently isolated by a railway corridor that has become a first-level urban barrier. This PhD investigates how urban multi-phase projects open up interim spaces of challenge, conflict and opportunity where initial demolition and construction works have brought to public attention the scale and direction of the urban transformation process, highlighting issues, problems and prospects. Such interim, or "meanwhile" phases stimulate public discourse and citizen engagement.
The suspended stage of "meanwhile" scenarios, where the future intersects the past and new arrivals mix with long-time local habitants, affords researchers a temporary window of opportunity to study, challenge and test the dynamics and forces that make cities at their very point of making. This CDA will examine frameworks for public participation established in London and Madrid in order to then develop new, trans-disciplinary methods and processes for meaningfully engaging societal stakeholders and local communities. It coalesces around curatorial projects to be implemented and tested in MNN and critically evaluated.
Whilst the student will determine the parameters of their research and formulate their research questions and approaches, the supervisory team and project partner have identified the following research themes as key to developing transferrable and scalable models of participation:
a. Time as strategic dimension in designing public spaces.
b. Combining temporary interventions and tactical urbanism with long-term strategic approaches.
c. Interplay of societal actors and forces over extended intervals of "meanwhile" scenarios.
d. Stimulating engagement and building a sustainable culture of participation.
The trans-disciplinary methodology is anchored in an initial phase of literature review, archival studies, on-site documentation and stakeholder interviews examining urban and neighbourhood planning, in particular institutionalised public participation in London (Localism Act) alongside emergent, experimental curatorial and participatory practices. The student will have access to a range of leading London-based practitioners such as The Decorators, We Made That and Assemble whom KSA has collaborated with.
Working with the project partner and societal stakeholders, the student will then develop ideas for live interventions in Madrid Nuevo Norte. Using a mix of "participatory action research" methodologies, their research will map and evaluate agencies and power relationships manifest in complex urban interactions while simultaneously engaging communities through curatorial projects that may include installations, performances, gatherings, debates, walks, rituals, or workshops. Thus, the researcher becomes an active participant in ongoing urban and societal processes, gaining a complex understanding of urban transformation that enables them to imagine, test and evaluate possible, probable and alternative urban development scenarios.
The studentship will be based in Architecture and Curating at Kingston University. During the research process, the student will divide their time between DCN and Kingston University, where a full academic training and development programme is provided. Visits to other archives and institutions will also be required from time to time based on the developing research focus.
For informal enquires about the project contact Dr Christoph Lueder, Associate Professor: c.lueder@kingston.ac.uk
Award Details
Subject to AHRC eligibility criteria, the studentship covers tuition fees (home rate only) and a grant (stipend) towards living expenses. AHRC studentship rates for 2020-21 are yet to be announced - the doctoral stipend for 2019-20 was £17,285 (three and a half years full-time or part-time equivalent for seven years); levels are likely to rise slightly for 2020-21. Collaborative Doctoral Students also receive an additional stipend of £550. Students can apply for an additional six months stipend to engage in extended development activities such as work placements. See AHRC funding and training for full details.
As a TECHNE student, the selected applicant will have full access to the TECHNE Doctoral Training Partnership development activities and networking opportunities, joining a cohort of almost 60 students per year from across ten universities in the UK.
Student Eligibility
Applicants with either practice and/or theory backgrounds may apply. The proposed PhD student will have a Master's degree in curating, architecture, urban design, art or visual culture, or equivalent experience and skillset. They should have experience working with communities and an interest in combining archival and theoretical methods with participatory action research. Fluency in Spanish, or willingness to develop language proficiency during the first 12 months (supported by Kingston University language scheme provision) is required.
During the project, the student will gain in-depth knowledge of urban development projects in London and Madrid and the strategies and forces that underpin them. They will be introduced to urban research tools and develop a unique new repertoire of "participatory action research" methodologies. They will acquire practical skills and experience in engaging civil society, as well as in disseminating knowledge through public-facing activities such as curating and event programming that will enhance their employability.
Applicants must satisfy AHRC eligibility requirements and terms and conditions. Students who are fee assessed as ‘international' are eligible for the stipend to support living costs and tuition fees at the UK rate. UKRI funding will not cover international fees set by universities.
The proposed studentship (subject to selection by the TECHNE Panel) will fund a full-time PhD studentship for three and a half years or part time study for up to seven years (50% FTE and above).
Application Process
Please send your expression of interest for this project by email to: KSAresearch-applications@kingston.ac.uk. Please title your email ‘CDA' and give the relevant partner institute's name.
Applications should comprise of the following:
- 1-2 page statement outlining your interest in this research project
- A copy of your first degree and postgraduate qualifications
- A current CV (no more than 2 pages)
- A sample of your academic work
Applications must be received by Kingston University no later than Monday 25 January 2021: 5.00pm (GMT)
Interviews for shortlisted candidates will be in the week beginning the 1 February 2021.
The selected candidate will then be supported by supervisors and partners to complete a TECHNE application for final submission to TECHNE by Monday 19 March 2021.
Results of this second stage competition will be known by May 2021.
