Range of services
The activities of the Institute for Practices and Theories in the Arts are characterized by applied artistic research projects that contribute to socially relevant topics. The Institute’s staff are also committed to the exchange between research and teaching. Further, the Institute offers research, consultation and development work for arts and cultural organisations.
Research + Development
Applied artistic research projects focus on socially relevant topics and contribute to solving complex problems: Research co-operations exist within HKB, other departments at BFH and reach out beyond with national and international partners from science and various cultural and artistic practices.
Contract Research + Services
The range of scientific services is aimed at organisations and clients from culture, politics, administration and the private sector:
- Research and studies in the context of specific issues
- Publications (monographs, newspaper articles, articles in books/collected volumes, blogs)
- Organisation and input in the form of workshops, conferences, further training, etc.
- Consultancy and expertise for organisations in the arts and culture sector
Student theses
We supervise students completing their theses as part of the Bachelor or Master programmes and combine students’ research interests with current research projects.
Teaching + Research
Pathways into research for lecturers
Lecturers can contribute to research activities in the following ways:
1. As the applicant responsible for research projects funded by an external institution. This activity requires several years of research experience (usually with a doctoral degree), the ability to write scientific texts and team leadership skills. Lecturers without research experience have the opportunity to gain initial experience with their own HKB preparatory project.
2. As a doctoral candidate, e.g. in an SNSF-funded research project: This activity extends over three to four years and can be combined with a dissertation, e.g. at the University of Bern (as part of SINTA, Studies in the Arts).
3. As an artistic-scientific practice expert in a research project. Such expertise can be selective or extend to participation in a multi-year research project.
Pathways into research for students
Students can already attend research courses during their degree programme:
The MA programmes from the departments of Literature, Y, Music, Theatre and Design and Fine Arts include an introduction to research (2 ECTS).
Students can also take part in “Forschungs-Mittwoch” - a forum at which researchers from the Institute for Practices and Theories in the Arts (IPTK) present the status of their ongoing/current projects twice per semester or they can attend the one-day research colloquium that takes place every semester.
Furthermore, the staff of the institute support and advise students as mentors on their final projects. The Master’s thesis can also be written in connection with a research project and under the co-supervision of researchers.
If you are interested in further research after the Master’s programme, we recommend taking the Research minor or completing a Research Master’s (Design). Further information on this can be found in the relevant degree programmes.
After completing the MA degree, you have the opportunity to deepen your interest in research topics. For example, it is possible to complete a dissertation as part of the Studies in the Arts (SINTA) doctoral programme in cooperation between the University of Bern and the HKB. All SINTA evening events are also open to HKB students and staff.
Training + Further Education
The Institute for Practices and Theories in the Arts (IPTK) cooperates closely with the Departments of Design and Fine Arts and Theatre as well as the Swiss Literature Institute.
The further education CAS programme “InterActing - Vom Schauspiel zum Kommunikationstraining”, was developed from the research project “Schauspielerisches Praxiswissen”.
