Artistic Research: Theory & Method

Course name: Artistic Research: Theory & Method

Credits: 7.5 ECTS
Course Code: ETKS018
Level: Third cycle / Doctoral level

Eligibility Requirements

The course is open to doctoral students admitted to third‑cycle education at Luleå University of Technology (LTU), as well as doctoral candidates admitted at other universities or higher education institutions. In addition, LTU employees with an approved professional development plan may, subject to availability and upon application and approval by the examiner, be granted permission to take the course. The professional development plan, signed by the immediate supervisor, must be appended to the application. In such cases, the examiner issues a separate course certificate upon completion.

Entry requirements

Admission to doctoral‑level education.

Course Content

The aim of the course is to provide doctoral students with advanced knowledge of theories, methods, and analytical approaches within artistic research, with particular emphasis on practice‑led, participatory, and multimodal forms of knowledge production. The course seeks to strengthen doctoral students’ ability to critically select, combine, and justify methodological approaches in artistic and practice‑based research projects, as well as to develop reflective and experimental ways of producing, analysing, and communicating knowledge.

The course also provides tools for understanding and articulating the relationship between making, thinking, and knowing within artistic research, and for developing alternative and complementary forms of research communication, such as visual abstracts, video essays, and other multimodal formats. An overarching goal is to enhance doctoral students’ methodological autonomy, critical judgement, and ability to contribute to the development of artistic research methods.

The course covers the following main themes and components:

· Theoretical and epistemological perspectives on artistic and design‑based research, and the relationship between theory, practice, and reflection

· Positioning one’s research project within artistic and/or interdisciplinary research fields

· Qualitative, practice‑oriented, and participatory research methods (e.g., ethnography, co‑design, research‑through‑art, sound and video analysis)

· Analysis, interpretation, and reflexivity, including ethical considerations and the role of the researcher

· Multimodal knowledge production through visual, audiovisual, spatial, and performative means

· Practical and experimental modules: visual abstracts, video essays, and other alternative research formats

· Peer feedback, critical reflection, and strategies for communicating artistic research to diverse audiences

Learning outcomes

After completing the course, the doctoral student shall have developed abilities in line with the following goals of the Swedish Higher Education Ordinance:

Knowledge and Understanding

· demonstrate broad knowledge and a systematic understanding of the research field of artistic research, as well as in‑depth knowledge within parts of the field,

· demonstrate advanced methodological knowledge in artistic and design‑based research.

Skills and Abilities

· demonstrate the ability to critically, independently, and creatively identify and formulate research questions, and to plan and carry out research using appropriate methods,

· demonstrate the ability to contribute authoritatively to knowledge development within artistic research through their own research,

· demonstrate the ability to present and discuss research—orally, in writing, and through other relevant forms of expression—in national and international contexts.

Judgement and Approach

· demonstrate the ability to make research‑ethical assessments in artistic and participatory research contexts,

· demonstrate intellectual independence and critical judgement in methodological and epistemological matters.

Course‑Specific Learning Outcomes

After completing the course, the doctoral student shall be able to:

· Describe and critically discuss central theories and methodological approaches within artistic research, including ethnography, autoethnography, co‑creation, sound and video analysis, research‑through‑art, and practice‑oriented methods,

· Analyse and reflect on the relationship between theory and method in their own practice and in relation to knowledge production within artistic research processes,

· Justify and position the methodological and epistemological choices of their own research project in relation to artistic and/or interdisciplinary research fields,

· Apply qualitative and reflexive analytical methods to process visual, material, and audiovisual research material,

· Identify and address ethical issues connected to participation, co‑creation, and artistic research,

· Experiment with and produce multimodal research formats—such as visual abstracts and video essays—as part of the research and communication process,

· Critically evaluate and provide qualified feedback on the artistic research work of others,

· Reflect on and develop strategies for communicating artistic research to different audiences both within and beyond academia.

Course Implementation

The course is delivered through three seminar sessions that combine lectures, literature seminars, and group discussions with workshops and practical exercises. The course alternates between theoretical components and experimental, practice‑oriented work connected to the participants’ individual doctoral projects.

Between seminar sessions, the doctoral students work independently with literature studies, methodological reflections, and practical assignments. The course includes show‑and‑tell seminars in which participants present ongoing work and methodological considerations. Peer feedback and shared critical reflection constitute central elements of the course implementation.

Examination

Module 0001 Visual, Written, and Oral Examination: Multimodal Abstract (2 ECTS)

This examination consists of a written reflection on a completed research study, in which the doctoral student accounts for the study’s aim, methodological choices, and central results. The study is also communicated through a multimodal abstract (visual, audiovisual, or sound‑based abstract) and presented orally at a seminar. This module assesses the doctoral student’s ability to analyse and communicate research in both textual and visual/multimodal forms.

Module 0002 Qualitative Analysis (2 ECTS)

This examination consists of a qualitative analysis of a completed study, including a description and justification of the chosen methodology, analytical approach, and ethical considerations. The analysis must be related to relevant methodological and theoretical literature. This module assesses the doctoral student’s ability to perform, document, and critically reflect on qualitative analysis within artistic research.

Module 0003 Video Essay / Multimodal Research Format (3.5 ECTS)

This examination consists of the production of a professionally executed video essay or corresponding multimodal format, through which a research study is communicated using words, images, and sound. The work must be accompanied by a written reflection describing its aim, formal and methodological choices, and relevant ethical and analytical considerations.
This module assesses the doctoral student’s ability to develop and use multimodal formats as part of artistic research communication.

Grading Scale

Pass (G) / Fail (U)

Course Literature

To be adapted individually to each doctoral student’s study plan and determined in consultation with the student’s supervisor.

Education cycle

25th March 2026 – 15th May 2026

Course is given periodically

Yes, offered recurrently as needed.

Send application to

Stefan Östersjö – stefan.ostersjo@ltu.se
Åsa Wikberg‑Nilsson – asawi@ltu.se

The application must include:

Name, personal identity number, email address, division, and departmental affiliation.

Application deadline:

24th March 2026

Course Open to Doctoral Students from Other Higher Education Institutions?

Yes. Admission is decided by the course examiner, in consultation with the subject representative.

Limited number of students

No limit.

Tuition

If the course receives internal funding through LTU’s resource allocation system, it is free of charge for doctoral students admitted at LTU.
Doctoral students admitted at other higher education institutions are required to pay a course fee.

Contact Persons / Course Coordinators

• Stefan Östersjö – stefan.ostersjo@ltu.se
  
• Åsa Wikberg‑Nilsson – asawi@ltu.se

Examiners

• Stefan Östersjö – stefan.ostersjo@ltu.se
• Åsa Wikberg‑Nilsson – asawi@ltu.se

Course syllabus decided by
Helena Ranängen

Date of decision
2026-03-11