Research
The School of Arts brings together Anthropology and Archaeology, Film and Television, Music, Philosophy and Theatre to advance the study and practice of culture. Our world leading research combines creative and scientific approaches, global collaboration and strong links with the cultural and creative industries to understand the past, engage the present and shape the future.
What we do
Our world-leading academics work with communities across the globe, including in Amazonia, sub-Saharan Africa and the Himalayas as well as here in Bristol. Our work in Philosophy, Anthropology and Archaeology spans the philosophy of mathematics and physics, epistemic injustice in healthcare, to the evolution of social structures, language and cultures and the preservation of heritage.
In the creative arts of Music, Theatre, Film and Television our academics explore how the performing arts have shaped the human experience worldwide over the last millennium, interacting with and reflecting the societies that produce them.
How we work
Our colleagues can be found in specialist laboratories extracting DNA and residue from tiny fragments of human activity thousands of years ago; or we could be working with physicists to better understand the nature of the universe; we can be carrying out archival research all over the world, analysing and performing music written over a thousand years ago, making films, plays, documentaries and video games that seek to understand and help us navigate the world in which we live.
External partnerships
The School enjoys a wide range of external partnerships. We are very proud to have participated in the City of Bristol's successful bid to become a UNESCO City of Film. Our well-developed Impact activities focus on performance, creative and cultural industry partnerships; heritage and museums practice; understanding of science and philosophy; policy; archives; audiences; and intercultural practices.
We work with a large number of organisations locally, nationally and internationally, including Bristol Museums and Galleries, Bristol New Music, Bristol Old Vic, Bristol Record Office, Calling the Shots, Colston Hall, Knowle West Media Centre, Mayfest, Pervasive Media Studio, Spike Island, SS Great Britain, St Georges, St Stephens Church, Tobacco Factory, Watershed, BBC National Orchestra of Wales, British Film Institute, English National Opera, Historic Royal Palaces, Imperial War Museum, National Museum of Wales, Royal Anthropological Institute, UK Colour Group, Bibliothèque Nationale de France, Cineworks Canada, District Six Museum, National Geographic, and Studio Canal.