VPA’s Interdisciplinary Research Group seeks faculty fellows for yearlong seminar on ‘Journeys of Interdisciplinary Observation’

The Interdisciplinary Research Group (IRG) in the College of Visual and Performing Arts (VPA) is seeking faculty members from around Syracuse University to participate in a seminar on the theme of “Journeys of Interdisciplinary Observation.” The seminar, which will be held monthly throughout the 2009–10 academic year, is an interdisciplinary study of the dynamic possibilities in engagement with the notion of observation as part of scholarly, artistic, pedagogical, scientific and creative practice.

Led by Deborah Dohne, associate professor of foundation in VPA’s School of Art and Design, and Cynthia Gordon, assistant professor in VPA’s Department of Communication and Rhetorical Studies, the IRG is a faculty-driven, cross-college incubator for development that spotlights a new theme each year and provides the catalyst and resources for developing creative, research and/or teaching projects. The goal of the IRG is to establish a peer environment that fosters a longstanding, accumulative and noncompetitive social network.

IRG fellows are expected to participate in monthly meetings structured to offer meaningful interdisciplinary feedback on the fellows’ projects, and develop a research project or a proposal for a course. For this year’s theme, the IRG welcomes ideas for diverse projects such as a new cross-disciplinary course, an exhibition, a performance, a collaboration, a publication or the start of an extended project. A project stipend of $500 will be made available for each IRG fellow through support from the office of Dean Ann Clarke in VPA.

Faculty members interested in participating must write a letter of interest explaining how their research and/or teaching would benefit from participation in the IRG, no later than Thursday, Oct. 15; letters should be submitted to Dohne at ddohne@syr.edu and/or Gordon at cygordon@syr.edu. For more information about the application process and the seminar, contact Dohne and Gordon.