We welcome enquiries about joining the distinctive student cohort currently supervised by Design Archives’ academics whose unique approach integrates design and art historical scholarship, archival and curatorial practice, and professional engagement. In 2010 and 2011 the Design Archives won two AHRC doctoral collaborative awards with the Chartered Society of Designers and the Design Museum. The rich seams of design resources available to inspire cross-disciplinary research relate to a wide range of topics:

International and national design organisations and the representation of the professions; museum and exhibition display; design practice and collaborative design processes; émigré designers and designer networks; communication design; design education, criticism and journalism; archives in contemporary culture; design curatorship; design and business history; archives and the digital humanities.

Lesley Whitworth and Sue Breakell supervise doctoral projects, working closely with other staff within the School of Arts & Humanities, across the University and cross-sector.