Research Centres and Networks operate across the University, providing a focus for excellent research in identified areas of strength. They support groups of researchers in a range of activities that extend beyond the remit of individual projects, creating an environment where debate can flourish, providing a sound foundation for future work.

PARC

PARC’s interests span the history and culture of photography, with particular emphasis on post-war British photography, the documentation of war and conflict, the photography of fashion and style, the visualization of the counterculture, and photographers as filmmakers.

Director: Professor Val Williams 
Deputy Director: Brigitte Lardinois
Administrator: Wendy Short w.short@lcc.arts.ac.uk
PARC website

CRiSAP

Creative Research into Sound Arts Practice (CRiSAP), is a multidisciplinary research centre which engages with sound by exploring notions such as composition, curation, archive, gender, practices of listening, voice and spoken word, technology and the relations between sound and the environment.

Joint Directors: Dr Cathy Lane and Dr Angus Carlyle
Administrator: Jennifer Tomomitsu j.tomomitsu@arts.ac.uk
CRiSAP website 

TFRC

Textile Futures Research Centre (TFRC) is engaged in a clearly focused range of textile related research that explores the question “How can more sustainable futures be enabled by textiles?” The Centre's approach to sustainable design is pursued through strategy, science and technology, and society & wellbeing.

Acting Director: Rebecca Earley 
Deputy Director: Carole Collet
Administrator: Itamar Ferrer i.ferrer@csm.arts.ac.uk
TFRC website

Ligatus 

The Ligatus Research Unit aims to create a unique environment, where the study of the history of bookbinding and conservation is combined with research into modern digital data analysis and collection management tools. This is the first time that bookbinding and conservation have been made the focus of a research unit, and it is intended that Ligatus will provide a central resource for these two subjects and enhance their practice through the use of current digital technologies.

Director: Professor Nicholas Pickwoad 
Deputy Director: Dr Athanasios Velios
Administrator: Ewelina Warner e.warner@arts.ac.uk
Ligatus website

TRAIN

Transnational Art, Identity and Nation is a forum for historical, theoretical and practice-based research in architecture, art, communication, craft and design.

In an increasingly complex period of globalisation, established certainties about the nature of culture, tradition and authenticity are being constantly questioned. The movement of peoples and artefacts is breaking down borders and producing new identities outside and beyond those of the nation state. It is no longer easy to define the nature of the local and the international, and many cultural interactions now operate on the level of the transnational.

Director: Professor Toshio Watanabe 
Deputy Director: Professor Deborah Cherry
Administrator: Nick Tatchell n.tatchell@arts.ac.uk
TRAIN website

DAC

Design Against Crime (DAC) is a socially responsive practice-led research initiative. It recognises that there is usually no single or dominant problem-owner for crime.  It adopts an “open innovation” approach to bring together previously disconnected dutyholders, stakeholders and practitioners and their discourses connected to the research topic and explores discontinuities as well as opportunities for collaboration. In this way many DAC projects move beyond a problem-solving approach to a design-thinking/reframing account to engage actors across disciplines and subject specialisms with models of participatory design. Ultimately DAC uses the processes and products of design to reduce crime and promote community safety whilst improving the quality of life.  

Director: Professor Lorraine Gamman 
Deputy Director: Professor Paul Ekblom
Administrator: Chloe Griffith c.griffith@csm.arts.ac.uk
DAC website