Reflecting Backwards: Navigating the PhD by Prior Publication

Join us for an in-depth conversation with Nick Cope, a British filmmaker and academic, as he discusses the unique challenges of completing a PhD by prior publication by practice. Reflecting on his own journey, Nick will explore the complexities of documenting and theorizing creative practice retrospectively, questioning whether this approach aligns more with archival research or autoethnography. He will share insights from his PhD, Northern Industrial Scratch: the history and contexts of a visual music practice, examining the intersection of sound, image, and cultural context within the British Scratch video art movement of the 1980s. This session offers valuable perspectives for creative practitioners considering this pathway.

Bio: Nick Cope is a British filmmaker and academic with a career spanning over three decades in film, video, and digital media. His work has been widely screened in cinemas, galleries, and live performance contexts internationally. Currently the Program Manager for Digital Film and Video Production at RMIT Vietnam University, Nick has held academic positions worldwide, including as Head of Department at Xi'an Jiaotong-Liverpool University in China. In 2012, he completed a PhD by prior publication, exploring the history and impact of the 1980s British Scratch video art movement. Nick’s work continues to contribute to the fields of visual music and experimental media.

Host or Publisher MeCCSA Practice Network