Northern Bridge Doctoral Training Partnership www.northernbridge.ac.uk Potential PhD Research Themes from Strategic Partner: Belfast City Council http://www.belfastcity.gov.uk/tourism-venues/culture/culture-about.aspx Contacts: If you are interested in exploring a research project with Belfast City Council please contact mel.whewell@ncl.ac.uk at Northern Bridge outlining your current ideas and she will direct you to the right person. Resources: Belfast City Council has 51 councillors representing the nine electoral areas across the city. It provides public services and leadership for the city of Belfast. Its councillors play a key role in representing the interests of their constituents and electoral areas. They are responsible for ensuring that the views of the people of Belfast are reflected in the decisions that the council takes and in the way services are delivered. Belfast is a dynamic, diverse and unique city and having a dynamic, diverse and unique culture is vital to its success. Culture, arts and heritage create wealth by supporting jobs, attracting visitors and increasing economic investment. They improve our quality of life by creating a shared, welcoming and proud city. From 2007 to 2011 we invested on average £1.35 million in culture each year to support approximately 75 organisations and over 100 programmes and projects. As well as providing direct funding to cultural organisations, we also deliver a number of council led and partnership initiatives throughout the year that help strengthen Belfast's culture, heritage and arts offering. We will build on this investment through the Cultural Framework for Belfast 2012-15. See this link for information about the Cultural Framework for Belfast 2012-2015 http://www.belfastcity.gov.uk/tourism-venues/culture/culture-about.aspx Northern Bridge Doctoral Training Partnership | Belfast City Council Potential Research Themes @ March 2014 1 Potential PhD Research Themes: • Literary Belfast – research, archive and product development in relation to Belfast’s literary heritage and contemporary scene • Belfast Music – research, archive and product development in relation to Belfast’s music heritage and contemporary scene • Art in public space, including heritage and European policy and practice. A range of different art forms and models could be considered under this theme, from sculpture and permanent public art, to festivals, events and meanwhile use. • Models to support the emerging culture sector, including opportunities for new and emerging arts organisations to develop and produce work that is not dependent on a public subsidy • Research to support ‘Bringing Belfast to Heritage to Life’ focussed on the excavation archives • Titanic Quarter – Belfast’s maritime history, physicality and underlying stories beyond the Titanic narrative. Placement Opportunities: Placement opportunities at Belfast City Council can be explored for the above or other themes. Please contact mel.whewell@ncl.ac.uk for more information. Northern Bridge Doctoral Training Partnership | Belfast City Council Potential Research Themes @ March 2014 2