Alumna Setareh Nafisi begins a Professional Doctorate Arts + Creative

Setareh Nafisi – a graduate of the Master of Music programme at the Prins Claus Conservatorium – embarks on a Professional Doctorate (PD) Arts + Creative. In this research trajectory within the Music in Context research group, Setareh Nafisi applies her artistic research approach to build innovative bridges between music, choreography, and human psychology.

The aim of this PD trajectory is to develop an interdisciplinary composition practice within social contexts, informed by the academic field of psychology. To this end, Setareh will create three immersive, multimedia music installations.

Pilot Professional Doctorate Arts + Creative

The pilot for a doctoral programme in higher professional education (HBO) was launched in 2023. Through this initiative, universities of applied sciences introduce a new educational pathway aimed at pushing the boundaries of professional practice. The pilot was initiated by the Association of Universities of Applied Sciences in collaboration with the Ministry of Education, Culture and Science and the Taskforce for Applied Research SIA.

One of the seven domains within this doctoral trajectory is "Arts + Creative". A key starting point for a PD in the arts and creative sector is a practice-based research question, a consortium involving societal and private partners, and a central artistic, performative or design-based project or product.

Setareh is guided in this PD trajectory by Music in Context professor Karolien Dons and Michel van Dartel, professor of Situated Art, Design and Technology at CARADT, affiliated with Avans. Her professional supervisors are composer Kate Moore and choreographer and theatre-maker Nicole Beutler. Alongside Agustin Martinez Caram, Setareh Nafisi is the second candidate from the Centre of Expertise Art & Society to begin a Professional Doctorate in Arts + Creative.

Foto: Simone Giacomini