Research at Central Saint Martins

We conceive of research as a world-making activity. Through our practices, theorisations and speculations we challenge the boundaries of our subjects to engage pressing issues focused through three thematic lenses - Identities and Equity, Climate and Ecology, Commons and Publics.Our research covers the entire spectrum of art and design activity, realised through exhibitions, artworks, designs, texts, books, films, photography, fashion, textiles, craft, performance and architectural and spatial practices.

We innovate solutions to emerging social issues. We regularly work in collaboration with national and local government agencies, businesses, NGOs, scientific organisations and policy groups to deliver real-world impacts. Through our partnerships and networks we develop joint research initiatives, consultancy and public engagement activity that contributes positively to society both locally and globally.

Our collaborators include:

• British Antarctic Survey
• British Fashion Council
• The European Organization for Nuclear Research (CERN)
• HM Prison Service
• Louvre Museum
• Museu de Art de São Paulo
• Royal Academy of Arts
• Royal Botanic Gardens
• Tate Modern
• Victoria and Albert Museum
• Warburg Institute
• Wellcome Trust

We nurture the next generation of research through our thriving PhD programme. Central Saint Martins is a member of the Techne Doctoral Training Partnership, through which we are able to provide funded PhD scholarships.

Postgraduate research

As a postgraduate researcher at Central Saint Martins, you can push the boundaries of knowledge and practice in art and design.

The College has a rich research culture, and welcomes people with a wide range of interests and perspectives. We attract postgraduate students from the UK and around the world whose work covers theoretical, historical and critical studies, as well as practice-led research.

As creators, practitioners and thinkers, we conceive of research as fostering an engagement with what we value and care for as a contribution to systemic changes. Through our practices, theorisations and speculations we challenge the boundaries of our subjects to engage pressing issues such social justice, climate crisis, health and wellbeing and critical engagement with technology.

Our supervisor expertise at the cutting-edge of art and design include the following subject areas:

• Design for Social Innovation and Sustainability
• Biodesign, Biodiversity and Future Materials
• Architecture, Spatial Practices and Narrative Environments
• Creative and Material Processes and Pedagogies
• Creative Practices and Wellbeing
• Creative Pedagogies and Collaborative Practice
• Graphic and Visual Communications Practices & Theories
• Fine Art, Art Theory and Critical Studies
• Artist Moving Image and Time-based Media
• Art and Science
• Visual Practices and Theories
• Performance: Space, Body, Screen
• Curatorial Practices & Theories and Exhibition Histories
• Fashion Design, History, Theory and Curation
• Popular Culture, Sequential Art and Comics Studies

For general enquiries about research degrees, please refer to PhD and MPhil degrees and the Doctoral School.

For CSM-specific enquiries about research degrees, please contact Caterina Albano.