Investigating doctoral studies in two Finnish art universities

This thesis concerns doctoral studies in two art universities. It highlights the doctoral process, discusses the distinctive features of doctoral degrees at both universities and the context of the doctoral path. Doctoral studies are approached socio-culturally as activities in which doctoral students engage along their doctoral journey. The themes include the motivation to undertake doctoral studies, various practices, such as art productions, documentation and writing, as well as how to create the necessary nexus between artistic practice and written reflection. The other part of the thematic structure deals with the support for artistic dissertations, which includes supervision, peer support and the research infrastructure. 0Kirsi Rinne, M.Sc. from the University of Helsinki in Sociology, has worked in several positions in the Finnish film culture. During the last 12 years she has been coordinating research, doctoral studies and international projects at the Department of Film, Television and Scenography in the Aalto University School of Art, Design and Architecture.