Recent Research
The Epistemic Case for Sci-Art: Toward a Posthuman Praxis.
Thompson-Bell, J. (2023). Leonardo, 212–218. https://doi.org/10.1162/leon_a_02317
This article seeks to strengthen the epistemic case for sci-art by demonstrating how partnerships across paradigms can combine methodologies rooted in multiple knowledge traditions. Drawing on Robin Nelson’s multimodal conceptualization of artistic research and Bruno Latour’s model of science as a circulatory system of heterogeneous human and nonhuman phenomena, the author characterizes sci-art as a form of posthuman praxis, which opens new epistemic positions through transversal forms of inquiry, thereby revealing shared human/nonhuman cultures. Sci-art is thus proposed as a means of drawing together humans and nonhumans into more productive, empathic associations.
Artistic Citizenship: Co-Creating a Flexible Definition.
Thompson-Bell, J. (2022). Leeds Conservatoire. https://doi.org/10.13140/RG.2.2.33909.86242
This report summarises and develops themes discussed at the Artistic Citizenship Forum: Co-Creating a Flexible Definition for 2022, hosted at Leeds Conservatoire, on 16 - 17 June 2022. The report expands upon delegate discussions to develop a professional development framework based around four key themes for would-be artistic citizens (p.18); and, proposes six recommendations for centres of arts practice, education or research (p.20), designed to strategically support these themes.
Student-centred strategies for higher music education: using peer-to-peer critique and practice as research methodologies to train conservatoire musicians.
Thompson-Bell, J. (2022). British Journal of Music Education, 1–14. https://doi.org/10.1017/S0265051722000080
This article presents some arguments in favour of a student-centred learning and teaching approach for higher music education (HME), with specific reference to conservatoire settings in the United Kingdom. In support of student-centred pedagogy, theoretical modelling is undertaken to offer a model of motivation accounting for both individual and group learning environments, thus drawing together diverse pedagogical research into learner “self-efficacy,” “distributive” classroom agency and partnership models of learning and teaching. Based on the author’s own teaching practice with MA Music students at Leeds Conservatoire, two student-centred classroom strategies are outlined: Critical Response Process (CRP) and practice as research. These strategies are evaluated via theoretical and, in the case of CRP, primary research data from a questionnaire presented to MA Music students reflecting on their experience. Finally, an overarching student-centred framework for HME course design is proposed, cross-mapping different learning activities, knowledge paradigms and forms of motivation based on the previous discussion.
‘Unusual ingredients’: Developing a cross-domain model for multisensory artistic practice linking food and music.
Thompson-Bell, J., Martin, A., & Hobkinson, C. (2021). International Journal of Food Design, 6(2), 233–261. https://doi.org/10.1386/ijfd_00032_1
This article explores linkages between sensory experiences of food and music in light of recent research from gastrophysics, 4E cognition (i.e. embodied, embedded, extended and enactive) and ecological perception theory. Drawing on these research disciplines, this article outlines a model for multisensory artistic practice, and a taxonomy of cross-domain creative strategies, based on the identification of sensory affordances between the domains of food and music. Food objects are shown to ‘afford’ cross-domain interrelationships with sound stimuli based on our capacity to sense their material characteristics, and to make sense of them through prior experience and contextual association. We propose that multisensory artistic works can themselves afford extended forms of sensory awareness by synthesizing and mediating stimuli across the selected domains, in order to form novel, or unexpected sensory linkages. These ideas are explored with reference to an ongoing artistic research project entitled ‘Unusual ingredients’, creating new music to complement and enhance the characteristics of selected food.