image: staged protest outside Het Reservaat, Leidsche Rijn, Holland (Sophie Hope). Translation: Art is useless. (See case studies for more info)

What is my research about?
My research focuses on the relationship between the economic and critical aspects of socially engaged art. New Labour cultural policy and corporate social responsibility agendas financially support art that is socially engaged as this holds currency in a society that needs to be seen to be effecting change through the active participation of its citizens. In this context my doctoral study addresses the beneficiaries of these contracts between art, government, business and communities in order to evaluate what constitutes a critical art practice that is employed to have a positive effect on society.

Why am I doing a PhD?
I wanted to continue practicing but also rigorously question my motivations, tactics and mode of operation. Am I really being critical through my work? What does it mean to be political in the current economic climate when socially engaged art is all the fashion? I want to take stock and delve deep into the histories and theories of this practice so I can locate my own practice more intelligently and sensitively within this wider trajectory.

Why is it a practice based PhD?
I am doing a practice -based PhD which means that by 2010 I need to have written 50,000 words and have evidence of a body of work. This will include past work and new work and the analysis of these projects.