Research is the vibrant intellectual core of Royal Hayward Academy, underpinning our academic programmes and driving our commitment to contributing new knowledge and innovative practices across the arts, humanities, social sciences, and technology. We foster a dynamic and supportive research environment where faculty and students at all levels, particularly within our postgraduate and advanced undergraduate programmes, are encouraged to engage in rigorous inquiry, creative exploration, and interdisciplinary collaboration. Our vision is for research at Royal Hayward Academy to not only advance disciplinary frontiers but also to address complex societal challenges and enrich cultural understanding on local, national, and international scales.
A Culture of Inquiry and Discovery
At Royal Hayward Academy, research is not confined to laboratories or archives; it is an active, evolving process woven into the fabric of our teaching and learning. We cultivate a culture that values curiosity, critical thinking, and intellectual risk-taking. Our faculty are active researchers and practitioners who bring their cutting-edge knowledge and passion for discovery into the classroom, inspiring students to become co-creators of knowledge. We provide dedicated mentorship and resources to support emerging researchers, fostering a community where scholarly dialogue and the exchange of ideas flourish.
Key Research Themes and Interdisciplinary Strengths
Our research activities are diverse, reflecting the breadth of our academic offerings, with particular strengths in areas that align with our flagship programmes. We actively encourage interdisciplinary projects that bridge traditional subject boundaries, leading to novel insights and solutions.
- Music Performance, Composition, and Sonic Arts:
- Performance Practice as Research: Investigating historical performance techniques, contemporary interpretation, and the embodied knowledge of musical artistry.
- Compositional Innovation: Exploring new musical languages, electroacoustic music, algorithmic composition, and scoring for diverse media including film and interactive installations.
- Musicology and Ethnomusicology: Critical study of music in its historical, cultural, and social contexts, including research into local musical traditions and global music flows.
- Music Technology and Acoustics: Advancing understanding of sound recording, synthesis, digital instrument design, and the acoustic properties of performance spaces.
- Fine Art, Design, and Visual Culture:
- Studio-Based Research: Material exploration, process-led inquiry, and the development of new artistic forms and methodologies across painting, sculpture, printmaking, digital art, and craft.
- Critical Theory and Curatorial Practice: Examining the theoretical underpinnings of contemporary art, art criticism, museum studies, and innovative approaches to exhibition-making and cultural heritage.
- Sustainable Design and Socially Engaged Art: Researching environmentally responsible design practices, community-based art projects, and the role of art and design in addressing social issues.
- Digital Art and New Media Aesthetics: Investigating the impact of digital technologies on artistic creation, reception, and dissemination, including virtual and augmented reality art forms.
- Business Management, Entrepreneurship, and Creative Industries:
- Innovation and Entrepreneurship Studies: Research into start-up ecosystems, venture capital, corporate innovation, social entrepreneurship, and the entrepreneurial mindset in creative individuals and organisations.
- Strategic Management in the Arts and Cultural Sector: Examining leadership, governance, funding models, audience development, and policy within cultural institutions and creative enterprises.
- Sustainable Business Practices and Ethical Leadership: Investigating corporate social responsibility, ethical decision-making in business, and the development of sustainable economic models.
- Digital Transformation in Business: Researching the impact of digital technologies on business models, marketing, consumer behaviour, and operational efficiency, particularly within creative and service industries.
- Dramatic Arts, Performance, and Media Studies:
- Performance as Research (PaR): Utilising performance itself as a primary mode of investigation into theatrical forms, social dynamics, and cultural expression.
- Theatre History and Critical Performance Theory: In-depth scholarly analysis of historical and contemporary theatre practices, dramatic literature, and theories of performance.
- Applied Theatre and Community Engagement: Researching the uses of theatre and performance in educational, therapeutic, and community development contexts.
- Digital Performance and New Media Storytelling: Exploring the intersection of performance with digital technologies, interactive narratives, and virtual performance environments.
- Digital Media, Creative Technologies, and Human-Computer Interaction:
- Immersive Technologies and Interactive Experiences: Research into virtual reality (VR), augmented reality (AR), mixed reality (MR), and their applications in arts, education, entertainment, and industry.
- Artificial Intelligence in Creative Practice: Investigating the use of AI in generating art, music, design, and narrative, as well as its ethical implications.
- Game Design and Interactive Narrative Structures: Scholarly and practice-based research into game mechanics, player experience, and the evolution of storytelling in interactive digital media.
- Digital Ethics and Societal Impact: Critical examination of the ethical challenges and societal consequences of pervasive digital technologies and datafication.
Fostering Research Excellence
Royal Hayward Academy supports research excellence through several key initiatives:
- Dedicated Research Centres and Groups: Facilitating collaboration and focused inquiry within specific thematic areas.
- Postgraduate Research Programmes: Our Master’s degrees (MFA, MSc, MA) often include significant research components, such as dissertations or major research-creation projects, providing rigorous training in research methodologies and execution. We also encourage pathways towards doctoral studies.
- Faculty Development: Supporting faculty in their research endeavours through internal grants, sabbatical opportunities, and assistance in securing external funding.
- State-of-the-Art Facilities: Providing access to specialised laboratories, advanced design studios, music technology suites, performance venues, and comprehensive library and archival resources.
- Dissemination and Impact: Encouraging and supporting the dissemination of research findings through peer-reviewed publications, academic conferences, public exhibitions, performances, patents, and community engagement activities. We aim for our research to have a tangible impact on academia, industry, culture, and society.
- Ethical Conduct of Research: Upholding the highest ethical standards in all research activities, ensuring the protection of participants, intellectual property, and academic integrity.
The research undertaken at Royal Hayward Academy is a testament to our commitment to intellectual vitality and our role as a contributor to the global conversation. We believe that through rigorous and imaginative inquiry, we not only educate our students but also shape a more informed, creative, and equitable future.