The M+ / Design Trust Research Fellowship programme supports an original research project investigating issues relating to design and architecture in the Greater Pearl River Delta region, and between the region and other parts of the world. In addition to expanding the current body of knowledge in these areas, the findings from the fellowship will inform future acquisitions and other programmes at M+.
Applicants should engage in advanced research on historical or contemporary topics relating to either a single discipline (such as architecture, graphic design, industrial design, and urbanism) or cross-disciplinary developments, taking into consideration the region’s cultural, social, economic, and political milieus as well as its international and cross-cultural networks. Although post-1949 topics are preferred, exceptional proposals focusing on issues related to the beginning of the 20th century will also be considered.
The successful applicant will be attached to M+ for three to six months in 2017, conducting independent research, preferably on a full-time basis. The fellow is encouraged to engage in intellectual exchanges with the museum’s curatorial staff and participate in its programmes. While outcomes may vary, the fellowship should at minimum result in 1) a paper (5,000 words or more) disseminated digitally or in print through M+ and Design Trust’s platforms and 2) a lecture as part of the museum’s public programme.
Eligibility
Applications are welcome from individuals of all nationalities whose areas of research are in design, architecture, or a related field. Applicants should either hold a post-graduate degree in a relevant discipline or an undergraduate degree with minimum three years relevant professional work or academic research experience. Proficiency in spoken and written English is also required.
Stipend
The M+ / Design Trust Research Fellow will receive a lump-sum stipend of up to 40,000 HKD per month for three to six months to cover research-related and living costs. (The monthly stipend may be prorated for a part-time fellow, depending on individual circumstances.) An overseas fellow may request a one-time travel subsidy of up to 10,000 HKD, covering transportation to and from the place of origin and Hong Kong.
Assessment criteria
The following criteria are taken into account when assessing each application:
–Originality in expanding and reinterpreting existing knowledge, or producing new knowledge, of design and architecture in the Greater Pearl River Delta region, within a regional and global context
–Potential for expanding the understanding and scope of the museum’s current and future collections, programming, and curatorial strategies in design and architecture
–Proven ability of the candidate in undertaking advanced research
About M+
A cornerstone of the ambitious West Kowloon Cultural District, M+ is Hong Kong’s new museum for visual culture, encompassing 20th and 21st century art, design and architecture, and moving image from Hong Kong, China, Asia, and beyond.
From its vantage point in one of the world’s most dynamic regions, M+ documents the past, informs the present, and contributes to the future of visual culture within an even more interconnected global landscape. The museum takes an interdisciplinary approach that both challenges and respects existing boundaries, while creating a meeting point for a multiplicity of perspectives, narratives, and audiences.
About Design Trust
Design Trust is a network of individuals passionate about design and its powerful role in societal transformation. The Trust supports creative projects that promote design talent, research initiatives, and content related to Hong Kong and the Greater Pearl River Delta Region. Across a multiplicity of design disciplines from graphics, media, fashion, to the built environment, the Trust aims to actively accelerate the creative design and development of meaningful projects.
For application form, please go to www.westkowloon.hk/designfellow
