The School of Arts at Oxford Brookes University is inviting applications to complete an MA by Research project in collaboration with Modern Art Oxford. Projects may be either practice- or text-based, and we are especially interested in proposals that relate to one of the following research areas.
· Innovations in Curatorial Practice (new and historic)
· Landscape, ecology and heritage
· New-materialist approaches to sculpture
· Sound Practice and/or Field Recording
· Feminist Artistic Research
· Exploring Illness and Disability Through Creative Practice
· Galleries as Gateways for Accessing Greenspace
· Situated/site-specific artistic practice responding to Modern Art Oxford and related spaces
This MA by Research programme allows students to gain their Master’s qualification while undertaking a project that directly aligns with their interests and/or career aspirations. You will work with an assigned team of supervisors at Oxford Brookes University, as well as feedback and support from the team at Modern Art Oxford most closely aligned with your project. This includes the Exhibitions and Live programme team, and the Communities, Practice & Participation team Potential outcomes could include (but are not limited to):
· An exhibition of practice-based research installed at Oxford Brookes University. (This could include arts practice, film, sound/music, publishing, photography, and further arts disciplines supported by researchers at the university).
· A text-based dissertation engaging with one of the above subject areas.
· A series of workshops or reading groups open to the public at MAO.
· Co-organisation of a live programme event with the MAO curatorial team
· Curation and programming of a display in the vitrines at MOA based on research into the MAO archive.
Start Date: September 2026
Duration: 12 months
Eligibility: Applicants should hold an undergraduate degree (first or upper second class) in a subject broadly relevant to their proposed project. We are also able to consider applicants with professional
experience in place of formal academic qualifications. Please see the Oxford Brookes website for full details of eligibility. This opportunity is open to Home and International applicants.
How to Apply:
To apply for this MA by Research project, please apply directly through the Oxford Brookes website, selecting the option ‘Arts – MA (Research)’. In the box for ‘Area or Topic of Research’, please indicate
that you are applying for the ‘MAO collaboration’.
You will invited to provide:
· A Summary of your Research Proposal (1500 characters) outlining how you would approach the project. This should give an idea of your intended approach and research interests. You will be supported to develop this fully during the early period of Registration.
· An expanded research plan
· A Personal Statement (6000 characters) detailing your qualifications and/or relevant
experience for the project.
· A short Curriculum Vitae (max. 2 pages)
· Either a sample of writing, or a portfolio of practice – as most relevant to your proposed project. (We would anticipate a writing sample for a theory-based project, and a portfolio ofwork for a practice-based project).
·References
Contact: For an informal discussion about this research project, please contact Dr Alex Bickley Trott: atrott@brookes.ac.uk
Deadline: The deadline for applications is 29th May 2026.