Picturing Climate: Art and Photography’s Role in Interdisciplinary Climate Research

THE RESEARCH PROJECT

“Picturing Climate: Embedding Artistic Practice into Climate Change Research” as an over-arching research project is designed to enhance climate science communication by exploring ways of integrating photography, art and digital media more effectively into pressing climate science research. The project aims to advance methods of making climate change more tangible and relatable by co-producing visual narratives with climate scientists that capture the complexities of climate systems, how they are studied and understood, and how historical impacts on human societies could inform the present and future. The project seeks to transform traditional scientific data into engaging visual content that can influence public perception and policy by offering opportunities to collaborate with scientists on current research. The research will focus on co-producing and enacting interdisciplinary strategies, more broadly understanding barriers in scientist-artist collaborations while advancing climate communication and visual science and technology studies (VSTS) theories. Practice-based methodologies are encouraged, though research outputs can include exhibitions, journal articles, visual artefacts, and public presentations.

Those interested in applying are encouraged to discuss the project and their proposal prior to submitting an application. The principle supervisor for this project is: Dr. Mark Kasumovic, however, other suitable co-supervisors can be found by reviewing DMU’s research centre hubs.

The lead supervisor’s research profile can be found here, alongside their personal website.

ABOUT DMU LEICESTER SCHOOL OF ART

The Leicester School of Art, established in 1870, evolved through many incarnations, including the Leicester Colleges of Art and Technology and Leicester Polytechnic. Our reputation for quality and distinctiveness in teaching and research is a direct result of our long heritage. The award-winning Vijay Patel building combines all our art and design courses into a striking creative hub. It has been designed to provide the space to foster both creative and technical skills. We have 25 industry-standard workshops and extensive specialist equipment, from traditional hand tools to cutting-edge digital technologies. Our flexible work spaces and state-of-the-art studios provide students with the perfect environment to experiment with different processes and discover new passions. Each course has dedicated studio spaces created to mimic professional practice and encourage student collaboration. Expert tutors and technicians empower students to express themselves and discover their true potential in this exciting and motivating environment.  Visit the Art and Design page to learn more.

PHOTOGRAPHIC HISTORY RESEARCH CENTRE [PHRC]

Founded in 2012, the Photographic History Research Centre (PHRC) specialises in international and interdisciplinary research on photography and its theories and practices from the 19th century to the present day, and is known for its distinctive approach to photography and its social and cultural manifestations. The Centre’s research is distinguished by a commitment to moving beyond disciplinary boundaries to explore the multiple strands of photography’s history; approaching it as an interconnected set of social and cultural processes; and as a visual economy which embraces the photographic industry, networks of photographic knowledge, science and technology, aesthetic, evidential and informational values, and institutional practices. Find out more about the centre’s researchers here.