Warwick contributes to international Arts PhD symposium in Brussels
The University of Warwick proudly participated in the international symposium “From Experience: The Arts PhD in Practice,” held in Brussels on 5–6 March 2026. The two‑day event was hosted by Arts Platform Brussels, the partnership between the Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB) and the Erasmushogeschool Brussel (EhB), and organised in collaboration with the University of Stellenbosch, the University of Gothenburg and the University of Warwick.
The symposium focused on the lived experience of artist-researchers undertaking a doctorate in the arts, a pathway where artistic practice forms the foundation of research inquiry, experimentation and knowledge creation. Participants were invited to reflect on motivations for pursuing an Arts PhD, how academic frameworks influence artistic practice, and the opportunities and challenges of working at the intersection of professional arts and higher‑education research environments.
Across performances, films, music and other creative formats, contributors examined how practice‑based research opens new modes of thinking and analysing, supported by theoretical reflection within an academic context.
Warwick doctoral researchers and graduates joined peers at RITCS School of Arts on the first day to present their work and engage in discussions alongside colleagues in Brussels, Stellenbosch and Gothenburg. On the second day, at Campus Kanal, The Imaginary Institute facilitated co‑creative, play‑driven sessions that encouraged participants to imagine future directions for artistic research by experimenting with collective intelligence and new forms of knowledge production.
Reflecting on Warwick’s involvement, Professor Jenny Burns said:
Events like this demonstrate the distinctive power of practice-based research. When research is actively developed through, rather than around creative practice, we access diverse forms of understanding, engage wider audiences in multiple ways, and generate knowledge collaboratively. It’s inspiring to see our doctoral community contributing so meaningfully to these international conversations.
Warwick’s engagement in the symposium underscores our commitment to supporting high‑quality, practice‑driven research and strengthens our collaboration within the EUTOPIA alliance, of which all partner universities are members. This participation also aligns closely with One World Warwick, highlighting the University’s dedication to fostering global connections and contributing to international conversations about the future of artistic and interdisciplinary research.