01/09/2026
What happens when creative practice shapes how questions are asked, ideas are tested and knowledge is shared?
SPARK*, led by Co Directors Josie Steed and Maria Sanchez, brought researchers and PhD students from across RGU together at Aberdeen Art Gallery for its first Summer School.
The two days explored practice based and practice led research, including practice as method, writing alongside making, research portfolios, publishing, peer review and the different ways research can be communicated clearly.
Participant feedback returned to the value of meeting others working through similar questions. People appreciated learning from researchers at different stages, unpacking complex ideas together and having time to reflect on their own practice.
Thank you to Grant Davidson, Dan Holbrow, Laura Leuzzi, Peter Chalmers, Lyndsey Gilmour and Jen Clarke for contributing, to everyone who brought their questions and experiences, and to Aberdeen Art Gallery for hosting.
SPARK (Studio for Practice and Research in Knowledge)*