Introduction
This page is a how to guide for developing a research proposal.
Begin by developing a rough sketch of my aims and objectives for the research project. Set out what my research is and what my working methods are, and also map out your context.
The title
Remember to include my name and the working title of the project.
The title can be used to give information about the project and its context.
Eg. 1: ‘Food, Art and Messy Curation: the Gallery Cafe as a Decolonial Site’. (Aru-Blaney, no date)
Eg. 2: ‘The Hotel: Acts of hospitality, the role of ‘guest’ and ‘host’ as art practice’. (Keogh, 2016)
Research question & rationale
Define my research question and my rationale, the reason why I am doing this research, in 50-100 words.
Talk about the central aim of the project. Why is it important?
Why is this research project important in this moment?
Why am I the right person to undertake this research project?
What are my intrinsic motivations for undertaking this project?
Why is the research important and what am I hoping to discover and why?
Eg. 1: ‘To explore the extent to which embodying hospitality in art practice reveals intimate everyday relationships at a local level, while critiquing notions of sovereignty, borders and hospitality towards ‘outsider’ on a national and international scale.’ (Aru-Blaney, no date)
Eg 2: ‘How does refiguring the gallery cafe through curatorial messiness activate its decolonial potential to facilitate meaningful visitor experiences?’ (Keogh, 2016)
Key processes and concepts
Critical reflection and reflexivity.
How will my own positionality impact the research?
How will my relationship with participants (if any) impact the research?
It is important to identify the ethical dimensions of the research project and to consider how you will address them.
Do I need to obtain consent from participants?
Consider potential benefits and harm to myself and others.
How will others be represented?
What is my responsibility as a researcher?
See: https://ethics.arts.ac.uk/.
Research plan & timeline
What steps/tasks do I need to take to achieve my aims and objectives?
What is my plan of action and timeline?
Consider the stages my project, for example, ideation, planning, research, reviewing, experimentation, making, stakeholder buy-in, feedback, revisions, realisation, potential public output(s) and outcomes, evaluation.
What do I need to establish (for example, relationships), develop, identify, explore (etc) to achieve your aims?
What courses/education do I need to undertake to assist me in my research project?
Methodology & methods
Methods are the tools you need to make your plan happen and collect ‘data’.
Methodology is plan of action for your research (steps of the research).
What practice-based/led or other methods will I use and why?
What do I need to know and why? (Bell, J.,2005, p 115)
What am I going to do with this information? (Bell, J.,2005, p 115)
Eg.: “Methods:
- Review relevant writings (e.g Lacy, Mignolo, Vergès etc) to develop historical and contemporary bases for research.
- Map decolonised and experimental uses of the gallery cafe. This can also act as a resource. Conduct interviews.
- Trace examples of messy, decolonial Art-Food projects to draft a definition/framing of messy curation.
- Practice-led workshops activating Art-Food practices as a decolonial curatorial project.
- Sustain a reflective and iterative practice developed through peer presentations, crits, and creative reflection/responses.“
(Aru-Blaney, no date)
The types of data or evidence I might like to collect includes:
- Existing literature (eg. books, podcasts, journal articles).
- Images/videos (not my own).
- My own analysis of existing performance/art work.
- My own images/videos.
- Personal reflections or journals.
- Interviews or focus groups with other people.
- My own analysis of my work/practice e.g. scripts, sketches.
Influences and context
Which artists, curators, theorists, philosophers, economists etcher key to my project? What research and practices am I aware of?
What is the field I will be working in?
What do I already know and how to I expect my understanding to develop as the research progresses?
Bibliography
Include at least 10 sources (artworks, articles, books, papers, projects, websites).
Reference only two or three directly – include the remaining in the Bibliography.
It plays an important role in contextualising your research and place your project in current academic thinking and artistic practice.
Use Harvard formatting.
Use Cite The Right Online for how to correctly cite resources.
Resources, materials, support
What resources are needed to complete the project? (use bullet point)
Software, materials, budget?
Do you have access to the materials & resources needed?
Do you need to undertake any additional learning?
How will the research impact you and Will you need any psychological support?
How will you manage your time and energy?
Bibliography
Aru-Blaney, S. (No date) ‘Food, Art and Messy Curation: the Gallery Cafe as a Decolonial Site’ Doctorate Research proposal. UAL Doctoral School.
Bell, J. (2005) Doing Your Research Project. Open University Press
Green, A. and Whalley, B. (2025) ‘Research Degree Proposal Workshop’ [Recorded lecture]. University of the Arts London. 12 February. Available at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YjzYtehO3us (Accessed: 23 October 2025).
Keogh, G.M. (2016) ‘The Hotel: Acts of hospitality, the role of ‘guest’ and ‘host’ as art practice’. Doctorate Research proposal. UAL Doctoral School.
UAL (No date) Ethics for Making. Available at: https://ethics.arts.ac.uk/wpx/ (Accessed: 23 October 2025).
UAL (2025) Research Standards and Ethics. Available at: https://www.arts.ac.uk/research/research-standards-and-ethics (Accessed: 23 October 2025).