January 15–April 2, 2021
The interdisciplinary research and design group Curatorial Research Collective (CRC) invites doctoral research proposals that investigate the construction of architecture culture and curatorial practices with a particular emphasis on social, economic, political, and cultural systems.
Originally established for academic research and curatorial initiatives, the CRC continues to expand its advanced research intents by welcoming proposals for doctoral research that pertain to its research interests. Specifically, the CRC welcomes new doctoral research projects that question the work of formal and informal institutions shaping architecture curation and culture (such as museums, archives, centers, groups, movements…), or that probe the various initiatives that occupy the intersection of architecture and society (such as exhibitions, biennales and triennales, books, journals, public discussions and programs, support policies, new media…), or any other pressing issue shaping architecture culture. Furthermore, the Curatorial Research Collective invites innovative proposals that productively collide theory and practice, particularly those that reveal rather than smooth the breaks, difficulties, tensions, and discontinuities within architecture culture, in both its historical and contemporary condition.
Ultimately, the aim of the Curatorial Research Collective is to develop a working understanding of architecture curation and culture—particularly of the various moments and instruments that compose such cultural apparatus—through comprehensive studies allowed by doctoral research.
Accepted PhD candidates will conduct advanced independent research on their topic supported by a daily supervisor as well as other members of the Curatorial Research Collective and the Chair of Architecture History and Theory at TU Eindhoven. PhD candidates are expected (and supported) to present their research and results through journal and magazine articles, conference papers, as well as public symposia and exhibitions. Opportunities for teaching research seminars and design studios are available for advanced candidates. Applications will be assessed based on the quality of the applicant, the quality, originality and potential impact of the proposed research, as well as how these fit within the CRC’s stated goals.
Starting from 2021, accepted PhD candidates may choose to follow the doctoral program either in the Netherlands or remotely (with supervision being conducted online).
Application form
Application deadline: April 2, 2021
Contact with select applicants: April 30, 2021
Interviews with select applicants: May 17-21, 2021
Notification of acceptance: June 1, 2021
Start of program: September 2021
About the CRC
The CRC is an interdisciplinary design and research group dedicated to the theories and practices of architecture culture and curatorial practices, developing critical positions on architecture through research, exhibitions, and public programs. Embedded within the chair of Architecture History and Theory at the Department of the Built Environment in TU Eindhoven, the Curatorial Research Collective is directed by Dr. Sergio M. Figueiredo and supervised by Prof. Bernard Colenbrander.