History and theory of arts

The study program in theory and critics of arts is realized within interdisciplinary context with focus on three areas: theory and history of architecture, musicology. Programme‘s doctoral students are encouraged to apply various theoretical models and methodological tools of humanities, social and technological sciences besides the classical methods of the critics of arts using both internal scientific resources of Kaunas University of Technology and those of their international partners. Graduates of various university studies are accepted to the doctoral programme with regard to their scientific experience within the selected topic.

The objective of the work of PhD students is to look at the identified problem or phenomenon from the complex perspective and propose innovative research methodology for discovery of the new knowledge or regularities contributing to the current scientific comprehension of the studied phenomenon.

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Topic title	Possible scientific supervisors	Source of funding
Eco-revelatory design of urban landscape for flood resilience	prof. dr. Jūratė Kamičaitytė	state-funded	Research Topic Summary. Eco-revelatory design (ERD) is an ecological design concept in the field of landscape architecture that means “a design strategy that attempts to enhance site ecosystems as well as engage users by revealing ecological and cultural phenomena, processes and relationships affecting a site” (Brown et al., 1998). ERD makes ecological considerations perceivable, i.e. a “visible part of landscape experience”. In this way it helps to organize a linkage between cultural expectations and ecological processes. In an eco-revelatory approach, the pre-existing natural, structural and functional characteristics of the place are integrated into design and in this way are made observable and understandable. This process of revealing can only be successful if the environments created are visible, observable, legible, and have the ability to raise curiosity in visitors to explore and understand the complexity of the landscape. There are many studies examining the relationship between environmental sustainability, ecosystem capacity/resilience and eco-revelatory design, but little research has been done on the relationship between urban environmental socio-ecosystems resilience and design, and in particular flood resilience, which is especially relevant in the context of rapid climate change. The aim of the PhD thesis is to develop an eco-revelatory design methodology for the urban landscape by applying the principles of interdisciplinary research in order to increase flood resilience and test it by presenting a model of flood-resistant urban landscape. The tasks are the following: review and evaluation of theoretical landscape ecology, architecture, sociology, etc. knowledge and practical experience in eco-revelatory design, development of methodological approaches to eco-revelatory design of flood-resistant urban landscapes, testing and adapting the developed method to create a model of flood-resistant urban landscape integrating ecological and socio-cultural, aesthetic criteria.
Hybrid Environments: Sustainability Aesthetics Assessment	doc. dr. Indrė GRAŽULEVIČIŪTĖ-VILENIŠKĖ	state-funded
Human-non human animal relations, conflicts and transformations: anthrozoomorphism in cinema	prof. dr. Dario MARTINELLI	state-funded
Principles of contemporary music organization and representation	prof. dr. Darius KUČINSKAS	state-funded	Research Topic Summary. Organization and representation are main principles of music existence. Specific of these principles are expressed via individualized technique of music composition and its representation in musical text (graphic, acoustic, digital, kinetic). Shift to the digital sphere cardinally changed European tradition of music organization and representation. New ways of music composition, digitization, virtual representation turned music researchers to the new musicological problems and questions to rethink basic principles of music expression. Dissertation is designed to examine contemporary techniques of music composition, modern ways of music representation and evaluation of changes in music development in last decades. Lithuanian contemporary music and its performance will be included as one of the main elements in the research.
Complex modelling of the interactions between urbanized and natural areas in the Baltic coastal zones	prof. dr. Kęstutis ZALECKIS	state-funded	Research Topic Summary. The objectives of the thesis are to quantify and qualify the multiple interactions between coastal urban and natural spaces, the dynamics that cause them and the effects produced (problem identification) on coastal spaces. This work will be based on an integrated modelling that will provide elements of analysis in terms of transformations, connectivity, accessibility or functionality. While employing remote sensing, space syntax, GIS technologies and machine learning. Future projections, related to climate change, will be produced from this modelling, which may provide an interesting input for land-use planning policies in these countries. Created model will also serve as the basis for a comparative analysis between the coastal areas of several Baltic Sea countries. It will make it possible to take into consideration the different geographical realities between these countries, in political (management and land planning), economic, social and environmental terms, with regard to the objective of "sustainable development" promoted at European level.

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Application procedure

Mandatory documents for admission:

Filled in application form (online on apply.ktu.edu)
Official legalised Bachelor’s and Master’s diplomas or a higher education degree equivalents and academic transcripts (translated into English or Lithuanian and notary verified)
Curriculum Vitae
Recommendations by two researchers of the relevant science field
A list of the research works (this list is submitted with full bibliographic description) along with copies of the research works (or a research paper on the topic (-s) consistent with the dissertation topic (-s) indicated in the candidate’s application, if a candidate does not have any research works)
A copy of the passport personal data page, or a copy of the ID card
A copy of the receipt of the application fee payment (40 EUR for EU citizens, and 100 EUR for non-EU citizens)
A certificate issued by IELTS, TOEFL, CERF or any other competent institution within the last 2 years certifying the level of the English language if the candidate is not a graduate of the first or second cycle studies conducted in the English language

Participation in motivational interview (Kaunas University of Technology, K. Donelaičio g. 73, Kaunas, Lithuania or online)

Signing a study agreement (if invited to study)

Cycle	Third cycle
Language	Lithuanian, English
Duration	4 y.
Degree awarded	Doctor of Science

History and theory of arts

Research topics

Research Topic Summary.

Research Topic Summary.

Research Topic Summary.

Entry requirements

Minimum requirements

Application procedure

Selection criteria and their weighted coefficients

Study programme modules