Celtic Crescent Doctoral Focal Award

This practice-led PhD project will investigate how Scottish textile heritage, particularly within the Highlands and Islands, is translated into contemporary design practice, and how heritage-based making can support culturally sustainable innovation within Scotland’s creative economy. With a strong emphasis on Gàidhlig and Scottish cultural contexts, the project will explore how language, place, craft knowledge, and community identity are embedded in textile production and design.

Focusing on Highland textile microclusters, the research will examine how vernacular skills, patterns, and material traditions are interpreted by contemporary designers and producers. It will address questions of authenticity, cultural ownership, and responsible innovation, asking how heritage can be mobilised in ways that sustain both local economies and cultural integrity.

The methodology will combine practice-led research, material experimentation, archival and object-based study, and qualitative engagement with makers and heritage stakeholders. The successful candidate will undertake an internship with the Harris Tweed Authority, including engagement with independent Harris Tweed weavers, to gain first-hand experience of heritage governance, protected status regulation, and the lived realities of island-based textile production. There will also be an opportunityto work with the National Museums Scotland textile collections, supporting object-based research into historical Scottish dress and material culture.

The project offers a unique opportunity to develop a materially grounded research practice embedded within Highland textile communities, contributing directly to Scotland’s heritage-based creative economy.

You will be based at The Glasgow School of Art, and will be part of a connected cohort of Celtic Crescent researchers sharing training and experiences. You will take part in at least one three-day residential Crucible Lab bringing the entire cohort together in one of our Celtic nations. It is not possible to study remotely.

Should you have any specific questions about Celtic Crescent, please contact: dfa@gsa.ac.uk

Studentships are fully-funded for a minimum of three and a half years (42 months) and a maximum of 4 years (48 months max, including any placements). Part-time students will be pro-rata.

Each studentship covers tuition fees, an annual tax-free living stipend (currently £21,805 for full-time study 2026-27) and includes access to a Research Training Support Grant. Full and part-time applicationsare welcomed.

Some financial support will be available to help you to take advantage of placement and/or other workplace opportunities as part of your doctoral studies.

Applications for the Celtic Crescent Doctoral Focal Award are now closed.

Applicants will have the following:

- Academic qualifications and/or professional experience in a relevant field (e.g. textile design, design anthropology, design history, fashion, material culture, or heritage studies), equivalent to a UK honours degree at a first or upper second-class level;

- A strong interest in practice-led research and heritage-based design, particularly in relation to textiles and material practices;

- A meaningful engagement with Scottish and Gàidhlig culture, and sensitivity to questions of cultural identity, ownership, and representation;

- Experience of, or willingness to develop, qualitative and/or practice-based research methods;

- The ability to work collaboratively with creative practitioners, heritage organisations, and community stakeholders within Scotland’s textile microclusters.

We welcome applicants from all types of backgrounds, particularly those with professional or creative practice experience or non-traditional educational paths. Professional experience in the creative industries or heritage sector would be advantageous.

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Equity, Diversity and Inclusion

Equity, Diversity & Inclusion (EDI) are fundamental to the delivery of exceptional Higher Education and research. We welcome students from every background, particularly those from marginalised backgrounds. Our goal is to understand your learning style and help you create environments where you can thrive. Disabled Students’ Allowance (DSA) can provide you with funding for extra study-related costs due to mental or physical health conditions, learning differences or any other disabilities. 

For further information, please contact our Student Support Services.

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International Eligibility

The studentship is available to home and international students. However, international students should note that the AHRC studentship only covers UK fees. The difference between home and international fees will be covered by The Glasgow School of Art.

A maximum 30% of each cohort may be international students.

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