Title of PhD: Building conceptual bridges: exploring the developmental experiences of post-compulsory art and design students.
My PhD research aims to explore student experiences on a transitional art and design programme between Further Education and progression to Higher Education. Following empirical research there is currently a perceived gap around students understanding of conceptualisation and the generation of new and innovative ideas during the creative process. Whilst this study will explore the cognitive processes involved in developing ideas, there is also a need to engage with the social and material dimensions of creativity and how this particular group of students co-create shared understandings. As the aim of this study is to highlight the complexities and diversities of human experience, a constructivist grounded theory approach will be used to enable me to explore multiple realities within a context-sensitive environment.