Critical Edge Workshops

• Location: In-person on campus, or join online via Zoom.
• Presentations and workshops: All welcome, registrations not required.
• Writing retreat Date TBC: Registrations are required for the writing retreat.

Critical Edge provides a space for Masters and Doctoral students to share ideas and gain practical tools for their research.

Organised by members of the academic staff at the Faculty of Creative Arts and Industries, various academic staff, graduates and guest specialists will offer postgraduate students a series of presentations and workshops over six days. The series concludes with a 3-hour writing retreat.

The Critical Edge programme is primarily for Creative Arts and Industries Masters and Doctoral students, but we welcome all University of Auckland students. 

For any enquires please contact Associate Dean Postgraduate Research, Dr Fabio Morreale.

Email: f.morreale@auckland.ac.nz

Multi-channel: Employing experimental and creative structures to perform research methodologies

Presented by Associate Professor Joyce Campbell

Campbell will discuss the ways in which creative and experimental structures can be employed to build a thesis that performs its meaning. She will make reference to her own PhD with creative practice which employed experimental structural elements including multi-channel and interwoven texts, multichannel video, continuous scrolling and secondary texts to enact her research methodology.

Creative concept building and research methodologies for
the arts

Presented by Associate Professor David Lines

In this presentation I explore a range of different research methodologies and approaches suitable for music, arts and pedagogical research. Firstly I examine and compare autoethnographic, phenomenological, ethnographic, action research and survey research. Then, I look at how the conceptualisation of a research topic can be crucial for choosing a methodological orientation and how the two might be connected. Research examples are taken from previous research I have supervised and some of my own recent work. The presentation is suitable for researchers wanting to sharpen their understanding of how research methodologies and concepts are linked.

Funding for research

Presented by Professor Nancy November and Denise Belsten

Money is often a critical part of enabling research, whether it’s for time to do your research (a scholarship / stipend), access to facilities and materials, or to communicate with stakeholders and ensure your findings make a difference. This session will provide an overview of some resources to help you find sources of funding and will discuss how to write successful grant applications. We will consider both internal (UoA) and external funders relevant to Creative Arts and Industries students, and applications ranging from small, sole-PI projects to larger, team projects.

Remaining curious during research

Presented by Dr Farzaneh Haghighi

Conducting a doctoral thesis can be a long process, and it is important to sustain engagement with your research. Doctoral studies will often lead to your future research enquires and careers, hence this time is an opportunity to better understand what motivates you to undertake complex investigations. In this presentation I will share with you some of my own examples of research enquires (or I would like to call them curiosities) that spanned across few years prior to be crystalised into published research outputs.

PhD talanoa with a Pacific academic and ‘Losing it finding it’

Presented by Dr Charmaine 'Ilaiu Talei and Associate Professor Peter Robinson

Having completed a PhD abroad, Charmaine will share stories about her own PhD journey before embarking on an interactive talanoa (discussion) about preparing for post-PhD. Bring your questions about research with Pacific or indigenous communities, research methodologies etc. or anything related to your own PhD. Next, Peter (Associate Dean Māori) will explore the value of the unknown and the void in relation to practical research. These terms obviously reference notions of exploration and creation within te ao Māori. They can be dangerous spaces but they can also be generative and highly productive. In his presentation, with reference to Kāi Tahutaka, Peter will discuss the creative potential of doing seemingly pointless things, getting lost, working blindly, and aimlessly creating without clear direction. There will be an opportunity after his talk to discuss what research avenues are available for tauira and what can be expected if research at both Masters and Doctoral levels is pursued.

Career Planning: Conversation with recent Creative Arts and Industries PhD graduates

With Shaoxu Wang, Kristian Larsen, Aleisha Ward and Milica Mađanović

• Facilitated by: Leo Baldwin-Ramult

A discussion with recent Creative Arts and Industries doctoral graduates on the topic of the transition from doctoral studies to a career.

PReSS accounts

Presented by Victoria Poole and Dr Deborah Ballantyne

With a focus on Postgraduate Research Student Support (PReSS) accounts, Dr Deborah Ballantyne (Doctoral Candidate Manager, School of Graduate Studies) and Victoria Poole (Associate Finance Business Partner, Creative Arts and Industries) will guide you through the key University policies, highlight the main issues students face with finance and provide you with a toolkit of how to keep track of and claim PReSS expenses. There will be time for Q+A to address any questions you might have.

The practice-based PhD: A discursive comparison of three experiences in architecture

Presented by Associate Professor Mike Davis, Associate Professor Marian Macken and Dr Sarosh Mulla

What constitutes a practice-based PhD? What might be expected and encountered? In this panel discussion three senior practitioner-academics operating in the Architecture programme at the University of Auckland will present and contrast their different practice-based PhD approaches, experiences, and the unfolding implications. Marian Macken will present USyd; Mike Davis RMIT; and Sarosh Mulla the University of Auckland. The session will include time for questions.

Journal publishing/creative voice

Presented by Dr Andrew Douglas

A presentation on journal publishing and the development of a creative voice in things ranging from titles, abstracts, papers and review articles through to peer-reviewing. It may interest people new to engaging with journal publishing. Interstices: Journal of Architecture & Related Arts will be the primary example used in the presentation. Andrew Douglas is one of the executive editors for Interstices and is about to commence his seventh issue editor role.

PhD and professional practice

Presented by Dr Lee Beattie

In this short talk I will explore the range of graduate opportunities that exist post-PhD in the professional world of practice if you do not want to undertake an academic career. A PhD can be a gateway to practice, and especially to a range of more senior positions in some large institutions which see this as a pre-requisite to higher senior management and technical positions which are leading the future disciplinary direction for that institution. I also consider the range of other opportunities can present themselves to a PhD graduate.

‘Is a creative academic career right for me?'

Presented by Associate Professor Fiona Jack and Dr Angus Campbell

Join us for a conversation between the Head and Deputy Head of School of Te Waka Tūhura Elam School of Fine Arts and Design, Fiona Jack and Angus Campbell. Fiona and Angus will explore the pathways they took from study, into creative industry, and then into the academy. They will discuss some of the key aspects of academic jobs, and how as creatives we attempt to balance practical and academic careers alongside life and family. As a doctoral candidate interested in an academic career this is your opportunity to hear insights and guidance from experienced academics working in senior positions within the Faculty of Creative Arts and Industries.

A transdisciplinary, funded research agenda that evolved from a PhD project

Presented by Dr Barbara Ribeiro

Barbara will discuss how transdisciplinary research may take shape, using as an example a project that received two grants and involves researchers from three faculties across the University of Auckland, research assistants, and external partners and stakeholders. Watch this two minute video which offers an overview of this action research project and its first real-world implementation completed in January 2023. Barbara is the Primary Investigator, and the project features in the University's Ngā Ara Whetū Centre for Climate, Biodiversity and Society, and the Future Cities research hub. Barbara will discuss how this transdisciplinary research agenda evolved from a solo endeavour as a PhD student and the stakeholder engagement required.

Sharing research in media

Presented by Margo White

My presentation is aimed at alerting masters and doctoral students on how they can share their research by writing for a general audience, particularly through news and current affairs platforms supported by the University, such as Newsroom and The Conversation. Students will get an introduction to Newsroom, guidance on how to write for a mainstream audience, and when and why they should. Margo is a former journalist, feature writer and columnist, former Creative Arts and Industries media adviser, and currently the editor of University of Auckland articles for Newsroom.

Research methodology through review of examples of completed PhD theses

Presented by Associate Professor Manfredo Manfredini, Associate Professor Kai Gu and Dr Elizabeth Aitken Rose

This presentation aims to provide doctoral students with an understanding of key methodological issues encountered in architecture, urban design and urban planning as a foundation for producing rigorous, credible, impactful research. Using recent doctoral theses as a reference, it explores the importance of research design and planning, covering the formulation of research questions, objectives, and identification of variables. It delves into different analytical aspects, emphasising the importance of validity, reliability, and availability of data. It particularly discusses some of the problems students encounter in undertaking research from a methodological perspective.

Managing your candidature

Presented by Associate Professor Sean Kerr

In this presentation, I will talk about how to manage your candidacy best, from your first year of study, preparing for Confirmation/ PYR, your second and third year of study, and finally, preparing for the examination, thesis hand-in and the creative practice component and the Viva.

Workshop: Defining career direction and approaching career planning

Presented by Shannon Ring

This workshop is aimed at helping participants to understand how to define their career direction and develop effective approaches to career planning. The workshop provides a practical overview with guidance and strategies to assist individuals in gaining clarity and defining their career direction. Participants will engage in self-reflection exercises, explore various career options, and learn how to set actionable goals. Additionally, the workshop emphasizes the importance of leveraging available resources, networking, and staying adaptable in today's dynamic job market. By actively participating in this workshop, attendees will be aware of all the tools at hand for postgraduate students and insights to navigate their career journeys with confidence and purpose.

Transdisciplinary practice-led research: Artistic research that slides across disciplinary borders

Presented by Associate Professor Alys Longley

A feature of practice-led research is the requirement that students develop a methodological practice and working vocabulary that is unique to their project. Often this requires transdisciplinary practice as students work across scholarly formats, the demands of their creative discipline and the need for innovative forms of documentation. This presentation will discuss strategies for transdisciplinary approaches to artistic research via examples that combine visual art, dance, creative writing, digital exhibition, collaboration across languages with international collaborators, auto-ethnographic narrative and academic publication.

Staying with the question

Presented by Associate Professor Simon Ingram

After living with them for a while, research questions can move around and start to question us. What might this make of our plans and intentions? Such ideas will be discussed in relation to the speaker's own artistic research.

PGSA (University of Auckland Postgraduate Students' Association)

Presented by Julia Stjarnhage and Kieren Lilly (PGSA)

The PGSA is the official University of Auckland Postgraduate Students' Association. They cover all things from supporting postgraduate student well-being throughout their studies to bringing some light entertainment and networking opportunities to their busy schedules. In this presentation, PGSA team will discuss what kinds of support and opportunities are available for Creative Arts and Industries students and how they can contribute to PGSA initiatives.

Panel discussion: Publishing and peer-review

With Associate Professor Paola Boarin, Tara Winters and Associate Professor Te Oti Rakena

• Facilitated by: Leo Baldwin-Ramult and Dr Farzaneh Haghighi

Our invited panel who have extensive experience in publishing in academic publications will discuss the writing, submission, revision, and peer-review process.

Navigating equity and diversity within transdisciplinary collaboration

Presented by Professor Nicholas Rowe

The historically siloed (and often competitive) administrative resources and academic cultures of differing disciplinary areas within tertiary education present ongoing obstacles to the rapid expansion of transdisciplinary activity. This is particularly pronounced within research activities that seek to bridge STEM-CABLE (Science, Technology, Engineering, Medicine - Creative Arts, Arts, Business, Law, Education). This presentation therefore first disentangles presumed meanings of transdisciplinary activity from similar concepts, like cross-, inter- and multi-disciplinary. This leads into an analysis of why disciplinary equity is important (yet elusive) within STEM-CABLE collaborations, how such equity might be perceived from different disciplines, and what the ‘sticking points’ can be within transdisciplinary negotiations.

Crafting your doctoral journey to find meaningful work

Presented by Dr Deepika Jindal

In this interactive presentation, Deepika will share insights on how doctoral students can craft their journey to find meaningful work. Drawing from research and her own story, she will discuss how she created a fulfilling academic role for herself. Deepika will deliver the presentation from the lens of 'job crafting', which refers to changes people make in their tasks and relationships to craft roles for themselves that fit with their needs, abilities, strengths, and passions.

Dr Deepika Jindal is a Professional Teaching Fellow at the University of Auckland and teaches Human Resource Management and related courses. Outside her role at the University, Deepika is Branch President of Human Resources New Zealand's (HRNZ) Academic Branch and an Auckland Branch committee member. Prior to joining academia, she worked in an Indian manufacturing conglomerate, for about a decade, in their Corporate HR department.

Writing retreat

This workshop is mainly for doctoral candidates in their first years of doctoral studies, however all Postgraduate students are welcome to attend. Over four hours, with catering provided, Associate Professor Susan Carter will work with you on your writing. The writing is part of your thesis, that you would like to re-write and or receive feedback on. 

For catering reasons and a limited capacity for this session, you are required to email Leo Baldwin-Ramult to register your attendance. 

• Presented by: Associate Professor Susan Carter

A session with School of Graduate Studies (SGS)

With a focus on doctoral candidature’s key policies and regulations, Dr Deborah Ballantine (Doctoral Candidate Manager) and Anisha Verghese (Doctoral Candidate Adviser for Creative Arts and Industries) will guide you through the main milestones and policies you need to keep track of, they will share with you the common challenges Creative Arts and Industries doctoral candidates encounter and will provide you with guidelines on how to navigate them. 

• Presented by: Dr Anisha Verghese and Dr Deborah Ballantyne