Hidden Cities: artistic Methodologies and Practices - A UNIC Blended Intensive Programme

About the Course

This blended intensive programme explores artistic approaches to research as powerful methods for research to explore urban transformations. 

Participants will learn how to use artistic tools—such as theatre, music, fiction writing, drawing, and installation art—at different stages of their research process. 

The course emphasizes both theory and practice, engaging students in active experimentation and reflection.

Key Information

🔹Duration: 20 October – 6 December 2025 (20 Oct - 28 Nov is online; 1-5 Dec is in person in Cork)

🔹Format: Blended (Online + On-site week in Cork, Ireland)

🔹Organised by: University College Cork and UNIC partners (University of Zagreb, Erasmus University Rotterdam, University  of Malmö, University of Łódź, University of Deusto). In collaboration with University of Rennes 2 and Bauhaus University Weimar.

🔹Target Group: current PhD students or advanced research master-level students from UNIC universities

🔹Workload: 3–5 ECTS credits (Please check with your local UNIC office for accreditation)

🔹Participation Fee: Free for students coming from UNIC partner universities (Participants can apply for Erasmus+ funding to support travel and accommodation. Please consult your local university page for details.)

Who Is This Programme For?

This course welcomes:

🔹PhD students or advanced research masters-level students in practice-oriented or theory-based research in the arts

🔹Candidates in fields such as: theatre, music, design, architecture, education, anthropology, environmental humanities, gender studies. This list is not exclusive and any candidate who wants to explore new research methods can apply. (No previous artistic training is required).

🔹Doctoral researchers interested in integrating artistic methods, even without prior artistic experience

Why Join?

🔹Learn from experts in artistic methodologies and research-led practices

🔹Gain practical experience in applying arts-based research tools

🔹Collaborate across disciplines and universities

🔹Engage with urban spaces through creative methods

🔹Receive ECTS credits and funding support through Erasmus+

Programme Structure

(Online) Dates: 20 October – 29 November 2025

🔹Mondays (Seminars): Typically 17:00–19:00 CET - Includes 1-hour presentation + group discussion or activity

🔹Fridays (Drop-ins): Optional, student-only digital work sessions (afternoon)

(On-site) in Cork, Ireland: 1–5 December 2025

🔹Period: 30 November (expected arrival) - 6 December 2025 (expected departure)

🔹Location: University College Cork (UCC)

Learning Objectives

🔹 Apply interdisciplinary and artistic approaches to research inquiry 

🔹 Use artistic and sensory methods to explore urban spaces 

🔹 Use improvisation and spatial interventions as research tools 

🔹 Reflect critically on data management within artistic practices 

🔹 Understand ethical, civic, and historical dimensions of place-making 

🔹 Engage publics as co-artists and co-researchers 

Contact and Local Information

Questions?

🔹Dr Brice Catherin: Brice.Catherin@ucc.ie (attending student must register at their home UNIC university deadline for application: 20 September 2025)

🔹Local EUR info: Here

🔹Local RUB info: unicteam@rub.de

🔹Local Malmö info: per.linde@mau.se; susan.kozel@mau.se 

🔹Local Łódź info: [To be updated]

🔹Local Liège info: marjorie.ranieri@uliege.be and sylvain.marbehant@uliege.be 

🔹Local Zagreb info: nina.simoncic@ttf.unizg.hr; sandra.curcija@ttf.unizg.hr; filip.matovic@alu.hr 

🔹Weimar: Renée Härtel and Sandra Wolf: bip@uni-weimar.de & sandra.wolf@uni-weimar.de

🔹Rennes: Juliette Cornet:  juliette.cornet@univ-rennes2.fr