In addition to our highly successful undergraduate and masters level taught courses we also supervise research students (MPhil and PhD) in the same way as at other universities - on a face to face basis. We accept part-time and full-time registration for these degrees.
The Open University graduate student community forms an important part of the university’s research culture. Students participate in the full range of on-campus research and are seen as valued members of the department. The Open University Research School offers a year-round programme of workshops, seminars and training for postgraduate students.
The art history department welcomes applications from suitably qualified candidates. Look at the staff pages to find out more about the research we do and to identify potential supervisors. The principal areas of research in the department are:
All of our PhD students are provided with one or more supervisors for the duration of their studies. They will meet with you regularly and act as your academic advisors. They will provide guidance on your research topic, on the skills you will need to successfully complete your studies, on planning your research and on writing your thesis. They will read all your work and discuss it with you, helping you to develop your ideas and to think critically and independently about your topic. They will encourage you in your studies and give advice if things are not working according to plan.
Nick Baker – ‘The Marketing of Contemporary British Art, 1975-1990’
Mandy Bentley – ‘Florine and the Marcel Wave: Femininity and Radicalism in the work of Florine Stettheimer, 1913-1941’
Laura Bolick – ‘Culture, Humanism and Intellect: Cardinal Bessarion as Patron of the Arts’
Alec Corio – ‘British Perceptions of Roman Catholicism and National Security 1850-1973’ (co-supervised with the Department of Religious Studies)
Marjorie Corner – ‘The Work of William Giles (1830-1913): his Paintings and Photographs’
Heather Hanna – ‘Framing Hair: Serial Strategies in Contemporary Art’
Jill Harrison – ‘Giotto’s Enterprise : Art, Avarice and Ambition in Trecento Italy ’
Jane Lamb – ‘The Commodification of the Celebrity Portrait: an analysis of photographic business practice in relation to image mass production in London , c. 1855-1865’
Melody Mobus – ‘The Burford Masons, c. 1630-1730’
Kevin Parker – ‘Elusive Translation: Film and Video in the work of Isaac Julien, Zineb Sedira and Alia Syed’
Mary Sparks – ‘The Development of Sarajevo During the Period of Austro-Hungarian Administration’ (co-supervised with the Department of History)
Anthony Williams – ‘The Critical Reception of the Wall Paintings at the Villa Dei Misteri, Pompeii, Italy’
Gilda Williams – ‘Modern Gothic’
Clare Taylor – ‘‘Figured Paper for Hanging Rooms’: The manufacture, design and consumption of wallpapers for English domestic interiors, c.1740-c.1800’ (2010)
Mahnaz Shah – ‘The Venice Hospital: an Investigation into its Structural Formulations’ (2010)
Stella Lewis – ‘El Greco and Colour’ (2009)
Nicolette Duckham – ‘Pride or Prejudice? Sir Herbert Baker’s Architectural Work in South Africa’ (MPhil) (2009)
Gwendolen Webster – ‘Kurt Schwitters’s Merzbau’ (2008)
Ekaterina Morozova – ‘American Art Criticism and the Crisis of Art History Writing, 1962-1967’ (2008)
Jennifer Piper – ‘Patrick White, Peter Carey and Sidney Nolan: National Myths in Australian Literature and Painting’ (co-supervised with the Department of English) (2008)
Atta Kwami – ‘Modernist and Street Painting in Kumasi , 1950-2000’ (2007)
Mike Belshaw – ‘Art, Writing and Autobiography’ (2006)
Anna Green – ‘Growing up with Modernité: Representations of Childhood and Adolescence in French Painting, 1848-1886’ (2003)
Juan Jose Gomez Gutierrez – ‘Italian Communist Party Cultural Policies during the Post-war Period, 1944-1951’ (2003)
The Arts Faculty Postgraduate Research and Studentships page is an introduction to funding through the Faculty. The Open University offers some support for postgraduate study, information on the whole area of undertaking a Research Degree at the OU is set out within the Research webpages. You can download the Research Degrees Prospectus from this site or from the link at the bottom of this page.
The principal external funder of UK arts-based studentship is the Arts and Humanities Research Council. Their Funding Opportunities page includes a range of guidance on sources of funding.
Enquiries before making a formal application: Arts-ArtHistory-Gen-Enquiries@open.ac.uk