Artistic doctoral research in theatre and drama

Artistic dissertation research

Content:

Completing doctoral studies in performing arts at Tampere University 
Form of artistic dissertation
Preliminary examiners and opponent(s)
Preliminary examination and assessment of the artistic component
Preliminary examination and assessment of the reflective part
Evaluation criteria for artistic dissertations and licentiate theses and the criteria for grades

Completing doctoral studies in performing arts at Tampere University 

The studies leading to the title of Doctor of Arts in Theatre and Drama are completed in the joint DPMCP doctoral programme of the School of Communication Studies. In addition, the doctoral student is automatically a member of the Extremes of Performance research group, which is one of the groups at the Research Centre for Communication Studies (TARU) and works in close cooperation with the Degree Programme in Theatre Arts (NÄTY). Doctoral studies in theatre and drama are defined as artistic research, i.e. author-centred research that is based on the author's professional experience based on artistic practices. 

Each student has at least two supervisors. 

The studies are divided into two areas:

1. Compulsory studies (10 credits) and elective studies (20 credits). 

The studies included in the degree are defined in the DPMCP curriculum. 

Elective studies can consist of courses, workshops, presentations, organising events, books to be examined, as well as other assignments to be agreed upon separately with the instructors. 

For more detailed instructions (including Sisu instructions) please see DPMCP's sheet under general text.

2. Artistic dissertation research (210 cr.)

The examination consists of practical or artistic parts (1–3) and a written part. 

The practical or artistic parts can be performances, research presentations, workshops or literary performances, and they can take place in different mediums. 

The written part can consist of either a monograph or a series of peer-reviewed articles (2–3 articles) and a thesis that weaves them together. The monograph can also be implemented as a multimedia version as agreed, or online material can be linked to it.

The different parts of the research, the relationships between them, the implementation method and the implementation schedule are defined in the research plan and agreed upon with the supervisors.

Four-piece construction

Doctoral studies are divided into four phases. When studying full-time, each phase lasts one year. The four-part structure remains even if the completion of the degree is delayed. The phases are part of the research method, its way of knowledge formation. The student bears responsibility for the progress of their research in accordance with the method together with the supervisors. 

At the end of the first three phases, a mid-term evaluation takes place. The fourth stage culminates in a public examination.

The mid-term review is carried out by an examiner or examiners appointed separately for the work. Each mid-term review results in a report, on the basis of which the doctoral researcher can develop his or her research further. 

The mid-term review focuses on the practical or artistic components and the corresponding written material and research plan completed by then. The mid-term evaluation of the articles included in the study is based on peer review by the publications.

The public examination is preceded by a preliminary examination of the completed written component, monograph or thesis summarising the results. The same examiners who were responsible for the three intermediate stages may also be responsible for the preliminary examination of this part. The public examination includes both the practical or artistic components and the written component as a whole. There may be one or two opponents. 

Form of artistic dissertation

(Approved at the Faculty Council meeting on 21.5.2025, effective 1.8.2025.)

An artistic dissertation consists of an artistic or practical part and a reflective part. The artistic or practical part may be either an independent artistic work or a series of works. Moreover, it may consist of tests and explorations of artistic methods and concepts arising from one’s own work in some other manner. Together, the artistic or practical work and the related reflective part must form an entity that illustrates, supports and promotes the development of the artist.

The reflective part must be prepared in a written form or a form that combines a variety of media. An artistic dissertation may also be created as part of a group made up of multiple researchers or doctoral students.

The artistic and practical parts of an artistic dissertation must undergo a pre-examination in connection with their implementation. They must be performed or presented publicly and recorded at the most communicative and technically adequate level possible. 

The reflective part of the dissertation may be written in Finnish or English.

Instead of an artistic work, a doctoral dissertation authored for a doctorate in theatre arts may be a dissertation related to education in the field of theatre or some other topic that is central to the work of an actor. In these cases, the general requirements and guidelines regarding dissertations, public defences and examinations shall apply.
 

Preliminary examiners and opponent

In the field of theatre arts, at least one of the preliminary examiners and the opponent must hold a doctoral degree while the other pre-examiner may be appointed based on artistic merits.

The pre-examiners must not have co-authored publications with the doctoral students or supervisors in the previous three years. Provisions on the disqualification of the pre-examiners are laid down in the Administrative Procedure Act (434/2003, Sections 27–29).

Preliminary examination and assessment of the artistic component

The author of the doctoral dissertation must submit an updated research plan to the pre-examiners of the artistic component. 

The research plan includes a preliminary description of all the artistic or practical components to be carried out during the doctoral research.

The doctoral researcher must send the pre-examiners at least two weeks before the presentation of the part to be pre-examined, a written description of how it relates to the dissertation and its research problems.

The doctoral researcher is responsible for the video recording and other documentation of the presentation of sufficient quality. The examination situation is public. Its nature varies depending on the doctoral research.

The preliminary examiner makes his or her assessment based on the material he or she has received in advance (the research plan and the description of the part to be examined) and the experiences he or she has experienced at the event. 

The following questions can be used in the assessment:

• Does the artistic part deal with what the author claims deal with it?
• What new or original does the artistic part bring out in relation to acting in general and to a certain area of performance in particular?
• In what way does the artistic component highlight phenomena or events that are essential to the research?
• To what extent is it relevant and interesting in terms of practices and research in the field?
• Does it produce something new and original in my relationship?
• How does the artistic component demonstrate mastery of the chosen research methods and the ability to develop them?
• How does the artistic component relate to the research as a whole?

If they wish, the pre-examiners can ask questions to the author after the performance of the artistic part. The pre-examiners submit their examination statements to the faculty in writing.

The pre-examiner's task is to assess whether the artistic component can be accepted as an artistic or practical part of the doctoral dissertation as such or with minor corrections. In their reasoned written statement, the pre-examiners must clearly state either the acceptance or rejection of the part. The statement cannot be conditional. If the pre-examination statement is negative, the pre-examination process may be discontinued at the request of the doctoral student. After the process has expired, a new pre-examination can be started when the person in charge of the doctoral programme gives permission for it.

Preliminary examination and assessment of the reflective part

As a general rule, the pre-examiners of the artistic component also act as pre-examiners for the reflective component. The pre-examiners submit their statements in writing. The recommended length of the statement is 3–5 pages.

In connection with the pre-examination of the reflective part, the recordings of the artistic parts must be submitted to the pre-examiners.

The primary task of the pre-examiner is to assess whether the manuscript can be accepted as a reflective part of the artistic dissertation. The Faculty Council or, in accordance with the delegation decision, the dean decides whether to grant or deny permission for public defence on the basis of the statements given by the pre-examiners on the artistic components and the reflective component once all the artistic components and the reflective component have been pre-examined.

The dissertation is evaluated on a scale of approved with distinction, approved or fail. The evaluation takes into account both the research value of the dissertation and the doctoral candidate's appearance at the public dissertation.

The Faculty Council approves and evaluates the dissertation on the basis of the written statements, pre-examination statements and other written comments of the opponent(s).

The licentiate thesis is assessed on a scale of approved or fail. The Faculty Council decides on the approval and grade of the licentiate thesis based on the examiners' statements and grade proposal.

Evaluation criteria for artistic dissertations and licentiate theses and the criteria for grades

According to Section 30 of the Degree Regulations of the University of Tampere, "Artistic doctoral research consists of an artistic or practical and reflective component. The artistic or practical part of a doctoral dissertation may be either an independent artistic work or a series of artistic works, as well as experimentation or research in some other way of methods and concepts arising from one's own artistic work. The artistic or practical work and the related reflective component must together form an entity that describes, supports and promotes the artist's development."

Artistic dissertation consists of an artistic or practical and reflective component.

Choice of topic, delimitation of the task and research question

The research topic is important and justified. The research task is appropriately delimited and the research question is clear.

Taking previous research into account, knowledge of the research area and the significance of the research in the field of art and artistic research

The research relates to existing acting practices and artistic research. The work demonstrates mastery of relevant research results, theories and their critiques. The mark of good work is an insightful contribution to the artistic and theoretical-methodological discussion that is relevant to the work.

Conceptual clarity, definitions, and subject mastery, as well as the development of new practices and new theory

The key concepts of the study have been defined and contextualised, and they are used consistently. The theory used in the research is justified and explained. The research discusses previous artistic practices and develops new practices and possibly a new theory.

Justification, application and development of the research methods used

The methods used in the study are justified, and they are meaningful for the research. The methods have been presented and used carefully.
 

The justified relationship of the reflective part to the artistic/practical parts, the consistency of its structure, the impeccable language and the fluency of the presentation

The relationship between the parts of the study is structured in a consistent and logical manner. The presentation of the reflective part is consistent, and its language is clear and impeccable.
 

Knowledge, maturity and critical approach

The researcher must be critical in relation to existing artistic practices and institutions, previous artistic research, and the theories, methods and sources they use, as well as the significance of their own work. Good artistic research is original, independent and tradition-conscious.
 

Evaluation of the results of the study, conclusions and further openings

The new knowledge generated in the research is presented in an understandable way, and it is in relation to the results created in the artistic part. The thesis highlights the significance of the research from the point of view of artistic research and artistic practices. The research results are used to derive further research topics. The research also considers the artistic and social significance of the results and their applicability in other fields.
 

Public defence

The evaluation takes into account the doctoral candidate's ability to engage in discussion concerning his/her research, to illustrate the significance of the artistic components of the dissertation, and to respond to the criticism presented at the public examination as a defender of his/her thesis.
 

Criteria for grades:

• Approved with distinction

The grade "Approved with distinction" is only given for a doctoral dissertation that is of a particularly high international standard and groundbreaking, and which, in the light of the evaluation criteria, has several significant merits without any deficiencies that invalidate them. The research has international significance, and the observations and information it contains are new or clearly change previous perceptions. The grade "Approved with distinction" is given to only a small proportion (approx. 10-15%) of all approved doctoral dissertations.

The justification for the grade must be clearly stated in the opponent's statement and grade proposal.

The Approved with Distinction grade fulfils the following characteristics:

Based on the statements of both the preliminary examiners and the opponents, the dissertation is particularly meritorious in accordance with all the key evaluation criteria, methodologically and in terms of results. As a whole, the dissertation exceeds the expectations set for artistic dissertation.

• The dissertation forms an artistically and research-wise convincing and original whole. No major corrections have been proposed to any part of it during the pre-examination phase.
   
• In the public examination, the doctoral candidate has defended his or her work with expertise, demonstrating a profound mastery of the discourse of artistic research. He or she has been able to engage in a thorough and critical artistic-research dialogue with the opponents on topics that are central to the doctoral research.
   
• There are no research ethics violations related to the doctoral dissertation and its examination (e.g. scientific misconduct).
   
• Approved

The grade "Approved" requires that there are no significant shortcomings in the starting points, methods and implementation of the doctoral research. The research has the contribution value required of an artistic doctoral dissertation, i.e. it focuses on an important and well-founded topic and it has produced new and significant information in terms of the practices and research in the field. The artistic part of the work is in a significant relationship with the reflective part, and its implementation demonstrates sufficient mastery of artistic methods.

At the public examination, the author of the doctoral dissertation has been able to defend the results presented in the dissertation and the public criticism directed at them. The dissertation and its examination do not involve any research ethics violations (e.g. scientific misconduct).
 

• Fail

The prerequisite for approval is that there are no significant deficiencies in the starting points, methods and management of the results and that the work meets the norms of research ethics.

The preliminary examiners, opponents and/or the evaluation committee must recommend that the thesis be rejected if the conditions for approval are not met and there are clear deficiencies in several of the following areas:

• The goal setting and boundaries are vague or inadequate.
• The work does not have a clear research contribution.
• There are major shortcomings or problems in the artistic framework of the work and/or in the definitions of key concepts.
• The research methods used are not suitable for examining the questions or problems asked.
• There are serious shortcomings and inconsistencies in the structuring of work.
• Critical analysis is absent or very limited.
• At the public examination, the doctoral candidate has not been able to adequately defend the results presented in the dissertation and the public criticism directed at them.
• The rejection decision may also be based on research ethics considerations (e.g. scientific misconduct).
• There are major gaps or problems in the research framework of the work and/or in the definitions of key concepts.