History of Design and History of Art

The University of Brighton has an established reputation for pioneering research into art, design and material culture and is a recognised centre of excellence both nationally and internationally for design history. It offers this PhD in History of Design and History of Art.

History of Design and History of Art History of Design and History of Art study at University of Brighton University of Brighton takes an inclusive definition of art and design in an expanded field, which embraces the conjunction of professional and non-professional practices; digital and analogue artefacts, and the de-centring of art and design practice away from the singular object to complex ecologies, objects and systems. 

Key facts

Your PhD will be supervised by expert academics who will also guide you towards career decisions and allow your work to draw on and contribute to the wider academic society at Brighton and at partner universities.

• As a PhD student in the history of art, design material culture and museum studies, you will

• have a supervisory team comprising two members of academic staff. Depending on your particular area of study you may also have additional supervisors from other research institutions or external partners.

• become part of an active and engaged community of research learning, leading talks, and social events with opportunities to present your work as it progresses and network with other researchers.

• be part of an active research centre, the Centre for Design History.

• Have desk space and access to a computer in a space specifically designed for research students.

• have access to a range of electronic resources via the university’s online library, as well as to physical books and journals at St Peter’s House Library in central Brighton and other campus libraries.

We offer supervision in the history of art and design from 1800 to the present including:

• Design and material culture

• Fashion, dress and textiles

• Graphic, industrial and interior design

• Cultural politics

• Feminist art practice

• Craft and the decorative arts

• Institutions of art and design

• Museum studies

• Asian art and design

• Photographic history

• Art history and visual culture