This doctoral programme, implemented by RISEBA and the University of Liepaja, prepares the doctors of science, highly qualified academic staff, as well as offers modern technical infrastructure for the study process.
Accredited: until 31 December 2023
The programme is currently in the process of re-accreditation.
The joint doctoral programme “Media Arts and Creative Technologies” of RISEBA and LiepU focuses on arts research based on creative practices and the transformative potential of digital technologies, offering academically advanced studies in the use of digital technologies in various media environments, immersive platforms and audiovisual arts. It promotes the development of original and independent research that is embedded in an international cultural, economic, social and political context, applying the latest technologies to its creative research and creating professional connections with business and the creative industries.
The degree to be obtained – Diploma of Higher Academic Education – Doctoral degree, Doctor of Science (Ph.D.) in Humanities and Arts – reflects the main goal of the study programme: to implement a high-quality and innovative academic doctoral programme in the field of humanities and arts, subfield – media arts and creative technologies, by combining the resources and experience of both universities and ensuring the creation of new knowledge in digital media and audiovisual arts and the creative use of innovation technologies, which has an impact on culture, economy, politics and the social sphere both in Latvia and beyond. Alongside more traditional production practices of art and media, students will learn how to use innovative technologies such as extended and virtual reality, 360° video, culture analytics, data visualisation, artificial intelligence (AI), etc.
Partner University:
The joint doctoral programme is interdisciplinary and innovation-oriented, based on practice-led research in digital arts and audiovisual media, combining artistic creativity, scientific-technological innovation and critical-analytical research methods. The study programme’s approach is based on the creation of an environment in which practice – an active process of (art) creation, critical reflections on it and the resulting new theory and knowledge – is the main element of the research process. An artist who carries out such research is called a “reflective practitioner”.
Lectures are held in person three times a year, for one week each, in a colloquium format. Between colloquiums, studies are facilitated by online guided learning environments and/or off-campus consultancy and project development sites (e.g. creative industries, NGOs, government institutions, hospitals, laboratories). Research carried out in collaboration with external institutions (e.g. NGOs, creative industries, research and higher education institutions, network communities, etc.) is discussed on a case-by-case basis with the help of the Scientific Work Management Group and is coordinated by the Administrative Group.
The achievement of the study results is ensured by the programme’s content, the extensive modules on research methodology (A1-01 and A1-02 “Academic Writing and Creative Practice”) and art and media theory (A1-03 “Theory and Methodology”) etc., as well as the student’s own active academic and research practice. The programme consists of: Theory and Creative Research Part A (Compulsory Part) – 42 CP, Thesis and Examinations Part B – 79 CP, and Competences Part C (Optional Part) – 11 CP (Teaching and organisational activities, conference papers, exhibitions, etc.) As the programme is based on individual studies, the largest amount of CPs and therefore hours is dedicated to the development of the doctoral thesis or the lead art research (70 CPs), which takes place between colloquia.
The colloquium takes place at the Architecture and Media Centre H2O6 at 4 Durbes Street, where the video, sound and editing studios are located, as well as at the MPLab Art Research Lab in Liepāja. Doctoral students have the opportunity to earn credit points by participating in doctoral summer schools organised by partner universities – Aalto University in Helsinki (Finland), Technological University Dublin (Ireland), Oslo Metropolitan University (Norway) – as well as in the jointly organised international scientific conferences “Open Fields” and “Renewable Futures”, which are dedicated to the development of art and science research in Northern Europe and whose network includes more than 60 universities from 30 countries of the world.
The Academic Doctoral Programme is interdisciplinary and innovation-oriented. It is based on practice-led research in digital arts and audiovisual media, combining artistic creativity, scientific-technological innovation and critical-analytical research methods.
The programme aims to train competitive professionals with diverse skills, knowledge and practical experience in the creation of artworks and the production of innovative media projects, the realisation of creative digital cultural projects, as well as in scientific research and the generation of new knowledge. The degree is a prerequisite not only for a successful individual career in the arts, media, innovation technology and creative industries, but also for an academic career in higher education.
Faculty MembersForm of studies
Studies are provided in the form of “low residency”, which means that they are focused on remote individual independent research work. The “cornerstones” of studies or the only on-site periods are 3 symposia every year, which take place in the form of intensive colloquia, each of the for 1 week. The first colloquium takes place at the beginning of the academic year in February in Riga and is organised by RISEBA; the second (summer) colloquium takes place in June as an outing, for example, in the Art Residency Centre SERDE, Aizpute, and the third (autumn) colloquium takes place in Liepaja, organized by Liepaja University.
For the rest of the time, a remote individual research process is taking place in close association with the scientific supervisor and programme experts.
This form of studies allows young researchers to carry out a high-quality research in the new innovative and interdisciplinary programme without changing the place of residence and combining it with work.
At the end of the 3rd year of studies, a final pre-defense exam is held (in English). After passing the pre-defense exam and graduating, the thesis is further guided to the actual defense. The doctoral thesis process after graduation takes from half a year to one year, as a result of which a doctorate is obtained.
Admission requirements
Entrance exam
Please read the admission rules published on our website under Study at RISEBA -> Admission rules
Upon completion of their doctoral studies, students become professional media artists, academic researchers and socially active citizens who have received an innovative and high-quality media arts education and who are also able to compete in the labour market, as they have the necessary specific knowledge and skills in working with different creative technologies, as well as management and marketing knowledge.
The obtained academic degree is a prerequisite not only for a successful individual career in the art, media, innovation technology and creative industries, but also for an academic career in higher education institutions and in international level research. Graduates of the new programme will be well prepared to participate in the shaping of contemporary culture in its broadest sense, working in local, national, European Union and international organisations as experts, consultants, recommenders, and project evaluators, as well as initiators of various innovations in these organisations.
The international aspect of the programme is very important: artist-researchers who have graduated from this programme will orient themselves in the international environment and circulation of media art, and will be able to contribute to the further scientific and educational development of media art. Any student of the doctoral programme who has completed at least one year of study without any academic or financial debt can participate in the Erasmus+ exchange programme.
Any student of the doctoral programme who has completed at least one year of study without any academic or financial debt can participate in the Erasmus+ exchange programme.
A student can go to study at one of RISEBA’s partner universities. The duration of study mobility is 2–12 months.
The student does not have to pay for the period spent in the study and internship exchange programme abroad; the tuition fee is covered by the partner university, but the student continues to pay the RISEBA tuition fee. For the period spent abroad during mobility, the student is awarded an Erasmus+ scholarship to cover the costs of transport and accommodation.
* Erasmus+ internship mobility provides that a student can undergo an internship in one of the companies of interest in one of the Erasmus+ programme countries. For this internship period, the student receives an Erasmus+ scholarship. The duration of internship mobility is 2–12 months.
Application for studies
To apply for doctoral studies:
The doctoral dissertation research application form can be downloaded HERE or can be received by email by contacting the programme administrator.