The PhD programme aims at offering a high calibre research training in Art History and Theory, and in Cultural Studies, in general. The programme is incorporated in the Art History and Theory Research Lab (which was initially established in the Department of Multimedia and Graphic Arts, and was the transferred to the Department of Fine Arts). An important aspect of this lab is the completion of doctoral dissertations, aiming at: Α) the establishment of a high calibre research environment in the History of Art and Culture, in order to upgrade and enrich Cypriot cultural discourses, especially concerning contemporary issues in art and culture. Β) the production of bibliographical and other materials, particularly regarding the arts (and culture, in general), on modern and contemporary Cyprus – fields, in which there is still a small volume of scholarly lever, bibliographical and other sources.  

Main research/thematic areas:

• Modern and contemporary Cypriot culture, focusing on the arts
• Theoretical discourses on contemporary arts
• Theories of nationalism, post-colonialism and globalisation, focusing on the place of the arts in the globalised environment, and in the formation or subversion of national and other collective, as well as individual, identities
• The Mediterranean, as a physical and symbolic space of/for anti-hegemonic discourse and praxis

The programme’s graduates are in a position to follow careers in universities, research institutions, as well as in art and cultural foundations, in Cyprus and abroad.

Programmes of study, at Cyprus University of Technology, are based on the European Credits Transfer System (ECTS). ECTS is a student-centric, and is based on the amount of work necessary for achieving the aims of a programme, by acquiring ECTS units for each course.

The load required for the Doctoral Degree in Art History and Theory, at the Department of Fine Arts, is the successful completion of at least 180 ECTS, while 60 ECTS are credited for the possession of a Master's degree, which is a requirement for admission to the programme. The minimum period of study is six [6] academic semesters and the maximum period allowed is sixteen [16] academic semesters, according to the university’s regulations.

The main stages of the doctoral programme is as follows:

A. Research Methodology (10 ECTS)

According to university’s general regulations, all doctoral students must attend at least a mandatory course, focusing on Research Methodology, at postgraduate level. In order to fulfil this requirement, students in the Doctoral Programme in Art History and Theory must enrol in the Art Methodology and Historiography course, which is offered, by the department, within the Master of Arts programme in Art History and Theory. Any student who has successfully attended an equivalent course as part of his/her previous, postgraduate studies, may, if s/he wishes apply for an exemption to this requirement. His/her request is submitted, accompanied by a suggestion by the student’s Research Supervisor, to the Departmental Council for approval or rejection. If approved, the student is credited with the 5 ECTS that correspond to the course.

In case the student is required to attend the Methodology-Historiography course, this must take place during the programme’s first year. The course’s successful completions is a pre-requirement, for the student to be allowed to proceed to the Comprehensive Exam of the programme. 

B. Comprehensive Exam (50 ECTS)

The main requirement for the conduct of research and the, eventual, submission of the Doctoral Dissertation is the successful undertaking of the Comprehensive Exam. The aim of the exam is to evaluate the basic-general knowledge of the candidate in his/her field of study, but also the more specialised knowledge, regarding his/her particular research topic. The fulfilment of the Comprehensive Exam requirement must take place by the end of the fourth semester of study, after the student’s entry into the doctoral programme.

C. Implementaion of Research and Submission-Approval of Research Proposal (60 ECTS)

After the successful completion of the Comprehensive Exam, and (according to university’s general regulations) at least one year before the dissertation Viva, the student submits his/her Dissertation Research Proposal. Each doctoral student must prepare and submit a written proposal (2500-5000 words), in relation to the proposed dissertation. The proposal consists of a) abstract, no longer than 300 words, and b) the following: 1. research questions, 2. methodology and projected/proposed results, 3. the dissertation’s contribution, 4. detailed, chapter by chapter, dissertation outline, and summaries of the separate chapters.

D. Writing of the Doctoral Dissertation and Submission-Succesful Defence [Viva] of Doctoral Dissertation (60 ECTS)

The Doctoral Candidate conducts his/her research under the guidance of the Research Supervisor, and with the contributions of the other members of the Supervising Committee, towards the completion of the Doctoral Dissertation.

The scientific contribution of the dissertation is based on the findings of the Doctoral Candidate, which are/should be distinct from the existing bibliography and all other acknowledgement of any contributions by other academic members (of or outside the university). The candidate’s own knowledge, as well as the contribution and impact of the present research on the scientific field, should be foregrounded. As such, effort must be made for the dissemination of the research results, though presentations and (whenever possible) publications.

The dissertation’s defence [viva] (according to university’s regulations) takes place in front of a three-member Examination Committee.

After the successful completion of the dissertation’s defence, the candidate must submit two copies of the dissertation – one for the university library and the other for the academic department’s archive –, as well as an electronic copy to the department, for purposes of documentation and distribution.

QUALITY ASSURANCE FOR DOCTORAL DISSERTATIONS

With regard to both the submission of the Research Proposal, as well as the Dissertation, the Department applies the Quality Assurance Regulations and Procedures, as included in the relevant Regulations of Postgraduate Study of the University.

Annual Progress Report

Every 12 months, the PhD candidate submits an annual progress report on his/her doctoral dissertation to his/her Advisory Committee, which, if approved, it is forwarded for ratification to the Council of the Department, which through the Academic Affairs and Student Welfare Service, updates the student's register. It is very important that the Supervising Committee is informed on the progress of each PhD student throughout his/her studies. In this way, it will be possible to see whether a student is working systematically and qualitatively, and that the necessary feedback is given to the student. In the event of a student failing to deliver a progress report unjustifiably or the progress report is not approved for two consecutive times by his/her Supervising Committee then the Department Council considers the possibility of terminating the student’s participation in the programme, unless s/he complies.

Research Presentations

The Department or Faculty organises an annual conference of presentations of the research work of its PhD candidates. Candidates participate only after they have successfully completed their Comprehensive Exam. Each PhD candidate should attend the conference at least once during his/her studies. The aim of this event is to contribute to the research culture of the university, and to encourage dialogue and interaction among the university’s members, and especially, as an opportunity for students to receive feedback on their work.

Teaching Assistantship

Each PhD candidate should work as a teaching assistant for at least one module during his/her doctoral studies. Remuneration is at the discretion of the departments.

Authorship and Intellectual Property Policy

https://library.cut.ac.cy/en/node/353