About
SPAR²C (Shifting Praxis in Artistic Research / Research- Creation) supports and highlights innovative artistic research and research-creation practices at the University of Alberta. We champion the role of artistic methods and literacies in remaking the university and addressing pressing global challenges. SPAR²C is proud to be one of the seven Signature Areas of Research and Creative Collaboration defined by the Faculty of Arts at the University of Alberta, ᐊᒥᐢᑿᒌᐚᐢᑲᐦᐃᑲᐣ (Amiskwacîwâskahikan), Treaty Six territory.
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What is Research-Creation?
Research-creation is at the cutting edge of interdisciplinary practice; it is a recognized methodology being advocated by SSHRC for its potential to create innovative interdisciplinary scholarship to adequately address the Six Future Challenges of our time, and is of increasing interest across the Tri- Council. As configured within SPAR²C, research-creation is a specific method for building inclusivity and engaging in scholarship by drawing on insights from the visual, performing, and sonic arts. By mobilizing artistic methods and outputs as part and parcel of scholarly research, research-creation is well situated to allow research knowledge to flow among interdisciplinary researchers and into broader communities outside the academy.
Leadership Team
For more information see Faculty Directory.
Gillian Harvey
Assistant Professor, Art & Design (Design Studies)
Natalie Loveless
Associate Professor, Art & Design (History of Art, Design, and Visual Culture)
Design Lead
Sergio Serrano
Designer
Sergio Serrano is a graphic designer and artist born in Mexico, now living in Edmonton. He received a BA in Design from the University of Alberta in 2009. His design client-work focuses mainly on the arts and education. Literature and mythology are recurring themes in his artwork, which explores the narratives humans create in order to understand themselves and their place in the world around them. He has shown his work at the 2015 Alberta Biennial of Contemporary Art at the Art Gallery of Alberta and in artist run centres.
Research Assistants
Eszter Rosta
Student, Art & Design
Eszter Rosta is an emerging performance artist based in Edmonton, AB [Amiskwacîwâskahikan, Treaty 6 Territory]. She holds a Bachelor of Fine Arts with a Minor in Gender and Women’s Studies from York University, and has exhibited and performed in Ontario and Alberta. Eszter is currently an MFA candidate [Intermedia] at the University of Alberta.
Amy Leigh
Communications Coordinator
Amy Leigh (she/her) is a maker, agitator and cultural worker based in Amiskwacîwâskahikan. Her creative practices/praxis center around placemaking and community + capacity building through self-publishing, and printmaking. Since 2017 she has curated The Zine Machine Project — a roaming gold vending machine that distributes small zines. Amy holds a Diploma in Arts & Cultural Management from MacEwan University, and is currently working towards a BA in Art & Design at the University of Alberta.