PhD programs at School of Arts at UCP in Porto

PhD in Science, Technology and Arts
The PhD in Science, Technology and Arts was established with the goal of developing a study program where artists, scientists and researchers from different backgrounds could develop a multidisciplinary research in the realm of artistic exploration.

This program proposes a curriculum that explores subjects related to the conceptual, creative and technological aspects of the artistic process, as well as its relationship with the fundamental humanities and social sciences.

The proposed study program is focused on the research and discussion of distinctive topics belonging to the contemporary artistic creation and technological aspects that are involved in their development. In addition to the available courses, the PhD researchers may freely attend to any course offered at the SoA, acquiring practical and technical skills important for their doctoral research.

This PhD program is intended for artistic creators, technology developers and scientists that wish to develop a practical research that interweaves artistic and technological reasoning.

Research projects can take advantage of the School of Arts’ facilities, equipment and laboratorial infrastructure (computers, audiovisual gear, studios, fabrication workshops).

Researchers enrolled in the program are encouraged to undertake some of the following seminars: Art, Culture and Society / Cinema / Procedural Art / Sonic Arts / Science and technology and Art / Animation / Human-Machine Interfaces / Contemporary Music / Curatorial Research / Moving Image / Digital fabrication / Instrument Design / Art criticism and critical studies / Digital restoration / Artificial Intelligence / Performance

PhD in Conservation and Restoration of Cultural Heritage
The PhD of Conservation and Restoration of Cultural Heritage was created in 2010 with the goal of promoting studies of higher academic level in Conservation Restoration Studies. In this program heritage professionals can develop a multidisciplinary research within cultural property conservation and restoration issues.

The Study Plan aims to answer to the present research challenges arising in different fields of conservation and restoration and management of Cultural Heritage. Accordingly, a broadband curricular program was established in order to promote cross disciplinary views as well interdisciplinary and transversal research. 

This PhD program is aimed for conservators-restorers, Fine Arts specialists, architects, civil engineers, archeologists, art historians, digital humanities experts and other heritage sciences professionals. There is no specification with regards to the student undergraduate and Masters’ degree. We accept and welcome student from different educational backgrounds.

For the accomplishment of PhD program, the SoA counts with several laboratories and workshops besides relevant national and international partnerships.

Some of the topics covered in the curriculum are: Material and Technical Studies of Art and Cultural Property / Issues related with Conservation-Restoration practice / Theory and Epistemology of Restoration/ New Paradigms and trends in Conservation / Preventive Conservation and Management of Cultural Heritage / Green Conservation / Sustainable Conservation strategies / Conservation and Restoration in the Post Digital Era

PhD in Heritage Studies (for Portuguese speakers)
The PhD in Heritage Studies aims to monitor the developments of the last two decades in the field of concepts and epistemology of cultural heritage, following its expansion into new areas already recognized by UNESCO (of which intangible heritage is an example) in parallel with the great challenges posed by globalization and the world economy.

Funding and grants
As a PhD student you can apply for an individual PhD Studentship from FCT. Additionally, the School of Arts has three distinct research centers: CITAR (Research Center for Science and Technology of the Arts—evaluated as excellent by the FCT in 2019), CCD (Digital Creativity Center) and CCR (Conservation and Restoration Center), with ongoing projects and research grant opportunities.

For more information please contact artes [​at​] porto.ucp.pt