PhD Studentship
Archiving and Advancing the Glasgow Improvisers Orchestra: Creative Practice and the Psychology of Large-Group Improvisation
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About the Project
This fully funded, practice-based PhD offers an exciting opportunity for an interdisciplinary researcher/artist to work with the Glasgow Improvisers Orchestra (GIO), an internationally recognised leader in large group improvisation. Based at the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland (RCS) in collaboration with the University of Edinburgh (UoE), the project explores how creative practice, archival research, and psychology can deepen understandings of collective creativity.
The doctoral researcher will create a publicly accessible digital archive of 25 years of GIO’s work, including recordings, scores, and other documentation. They will then develop new creative outputs in response to the archive. These may include performances, exhibitions, film, and negotiated outputs that activate the archive as a living resource.
Working closely with GIO, the student will investigate how creativity is generated and sustained in large improvising ensembles, contributing to interdisciplinary research across music, psychology, and creative practice.
The important details
Application Deadline:
26 May 2026
Institution Code:
R58
Programme Code:
Full-time: 555F, Part time: 555P
Project Description
Large-group improvisation is a rapidly growing field, yet there is limited research into how collaborative creativity operates in such contexts over time. GIO provides a unique case study: a long-standing, artist-led ensemble with an extensive but under-archived body of work.
This PhD combines:
- Archival research – gathering, organising, and curating GIO’s creative outputs into a digital and physical archive
- Creative practice – developing new artistic work in collaboration with GIO (e.g. performances, exhibitions, online outputs)
- Qualitative inquiry – exploring musicians’ experiences of improvisation and collaboration
The student will engage directly with GIO musicians, attending rehearsals, performances, and meetings, contributing both as a researcher and creative practitioner.
Outputs will be developed and performed in dialogue with the supervisory team and GIO, allowing flexibility depending on the candidate’s background and interests.
Research Environment
The researcher will be primarily based at RCS and work with GIO in Glasgow, with additional opportunities for training at University of Edinburgh.
Project Structure
(3.5 years full time or 7 years part time)
Phase 1: Literature review; archival scoping; initial engagement with GIO; data collection
Phase 2 Archive development; qualitative research; creation of new artistic outputs
Phase 3: Evaluation, dissemination, and submission
The final submission will combine a portfolio of creative work (e.g. performances, archive, exhibitions) with a thesis.
Candidate Profile
We welcome applicants from a wide range of disciplinary backgrounds, including (but not limited to):
- Music (composition, performance, improvisation)
- Sound art / interdisciplinary arts
- Music psychology or related fields
- Cultural or creative practice
Qualifications
Essential:
- Hold at least a 2:1 undergraduate degree in a relevant discipline.
- Have completed or on course to complete a master’s degree in a relevant discipline/ and/or demonstrate equivalent, relevant professional experience.
- Be able to demonstrate preparedness for the proposed, specific collaborative doctoral project.
- They must also have undertaken, with the full supervisory team, an assessment of their existing skills and skills needs.
- A strong background in improvisation in any discipline/art form
- Commitment to equality, diversity and inclusion
Desirable:
- Experience with qualitative and arts-based methods
- Experience with archival methods
- Interest in creative practice as research
Application Process
Applicants for doctoral study should first apply through UCAS Conservatoires. Please then submit your proposal online via Acceptd using this template. You may also upload a CV and/or examples of your creative work on Acceptd.
The Royal Conservatoire of Scotland institution code is R58. You will also require the following programmes codes to apply: Doctor of Philosophy — Full-time: 555F / Part-time: 555P
Please email U.Macglone@rcs.ac.uk with any further questions. Informal preliminary inquiries are encouraged.
Following the application deadline of 26 May, interviews of selected applicants will likely take place week commencing 1 June, and the supervisory team will work with the selected student to submit a final form to SGSAH before 12 June 2026.
Funding Notes
This project is funded by ARCS (Applied Research Studentships) through the Scottish Funding Council and host institutions and is available to Scottish, UK, and international students. RCS will waive any fee differences between funding provided for home fees and international fees.
