Doctoral Research
Thinking about doctoral study in an area related to Design Archives’ resources and staff expertise? 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. 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. Please get in touch if you would like to discuss a project idea with us
Current and recent projects
Colonial Rhizomes: Knowledge production of southern Africa through archives and displays in museums
Supervisors: Dr Claire Wintle Sue Breakell Dr Johanna Zetterstrom-Sharp
Ilenia Atzori
The Role of Storytelling in Building a Collective Memory in the Castello area of Cagliari, Sardinia
Supervisors: Julia Winkler Dr Katy Beinart Dr Lesley Whitworth
Martha Beard
Cross-Community Oral History, Post-Conflict Geography and Conflict Resolution at West Belfast Interfaces
Supervisors: Prof Graham Dawson Claire Hackett Dr Lesley Whitworth
Liz Bruchet
Archives and Curatorial Practices: Mapping their Entanglements
Supervisors: Sue Breakell Annebella Pollen Catherine Moriarty
Dora Souza Diaz
Icograda – the International Council of Graphic Design Associations, 1963-2013: Transnational Interactions and Professional Networks in Graphic Design (2019)
Tania Messell
Constructing a ‘United Nations of Industrial Design’: ICSID and the professionalisation of design on the world stage 1957-1980 (2018)
Supervisors: Prof Jeremy Aynsley Dr Lesley Whitworth
Tom Wilson
Design Strategies and the Representation of the Commonwealth: From Institute to Museum
Supervisors: Dr Catherine Moriarty – University of Brighton, Dr Helen Charman – Design Museum, Dr Anita Rupprecht – University of Brighton, Donna Loveday – Design Museum
Louise Dennis
A Matter of Material: Plastics in museums in the 21st century
Supervisors: Dr Louise Purbrick Dr Lesley Whitworth
Jane Shepard
Discourses in Design Education: perspectives on design and the secondary school curriculum, 1988-2012
Supervisors: Dr Lesley Whitworth Prof Avril Loveless
Jonathan Brown
The retailing, promotion and reception of modern Scandinavian furnishings, 1955-1975, in ten British locations
Supervisors: Dr Lesley Whitworth Prof Jonathan Woodham
Leah Armstrong
Designing a Profession: The Structure, Image and Identity of the Design Profession in Britain, 1930-2010
Supervisors: Catherine Moriarty Prof Jonathan Woodham Frank Peters, CEO, Chartered Society of Designers
