PhD course ‘The Exhibition as Research: Histories, Theories, Methods’

Can exhibitions be qualified as research-in-itself? If they can, then how? Which criteria should be the basis of evaluating and verify research exhibitions? The aim of the PhD course is to build a solid knowledge-base for understanding the relationship between exhibitions and research in the past and today, in order to collectively explore potentials and challenges for what can be called research-by-display.​

Date: Mar 20, 2024 - Apr 15, 2024

Location:

Oslo , Norway ROM for kunst og arkitektur

Museum exhibitions are intimately related to research. From the systematic display of natural history in the 19^th century to current ‘citizen science’ experiments, exhibitions have displayed research in various ways, intending different outcomes. Museum exhibitions can be based on research, disseminate research, provide data for research, be a meeting point for interdisciplinary research collaborations, or generate new research questions.

Can exhibitions be qualified as research-in-itself? If they can, then how? Which criteria should be the basis of evaluating and verify research exhibitions? The aim of the PhD course is to build a solid knowledge-base for understanding the relationship between exhibitions and research in the past and today, in order to collectively explore potentials and challenges for what can be called research-by-display. 

This PhD course explores the exhibition as research through the terms ‘research-based’, ‘research dissemination,’ ‘the exhibition as essay’, ‘laboratory,’ and ‘method’ in an attempt to explore research through exhibition making. Which histories, theories, and methods could unpack the exhibition as research, in itself? Participants are invited to reflect on different questions of exhibitions as research, and how these pertain to their dissertation subjects empirically, analytically, or epistemologically. 

Practical information

Working language: English. 

The three-day program will consist of plenary lectures from invited speakers, paper presentations from PhD Fellows (20-minute presentation, 20-minute discussion), group work, and discussions of articles and chapters from reading list. 

Credits: 3/5 ECTS. Participation, paper presentation, and reading preparation will result in 3 ECTS, working over and submitting an edited version of the presentation (10-12 pages) after the seminar, will yield an additional 2 ECTS. Signed and authorized course diplomas will upon request be bestowed upon each participant having completed the course.

Meals: Coffee, fruits, and lunch and will be provided every day. Dinners Thursday night and Friday night are optional, as the expenses for the dinners will not be covered by the organizers.

Travel and accommodation: PhD Fellows are expected to cover their own travel and accommodation expenses. 

Reading list: Reading materials and exhibition background material will be made available one month before the seminar (approximately 1000 pages).  

Maximum participants: 12 PhD Fellows. If the number of applicants exceeds 12, a selection will be made on the basis of relevance, affiliation and status of PhD training; beyond that, early applications will be prioritized.

Application: Those who would like to participate in the PhD course should submit a short abstract of their paper (300 words). Apply by sending your abstract and a short CV to the convenor, Associate Professor Ingrid Halland: Ingrid.halland@ikos.uio.no. 

Deadline for application: 15th April 2024

Deadline for submission of full papers: Participating PhD candidates must submit their full papers by  31st May 2024 latest. After this date, papers will be made available to keynote speakers and participants.

Open lectures: The invited talks and guest presentations will take place from morning until lunch every day and will be open to all, in person or via digital steam (Zoom). Registration is required. In the afternoon, the seminar will be closed (the PhD participants will present papers and invited guests will discuss their presentations and work in groups).

The PhD course is a collaboration between The Centre for Museum Studies and The Oslo Center for Environmental Humanities at University of Oslo; The Museum of Cultural History in Oslo; Cultural Heritage Management and the research project ‘Museum, Society, Participation’ at NTNU Norwegian University of Science and Technology in Trondheim; and ROM for kunst og arkitektur.