Towards the end of ten TACK research journeys: 4 Questions x 10 Answers from our ESRs

After three intensive years, the TACK-project is slowly coming to an end this summer. We asked our 10 ESRs the following four questions. Here are their replies:

 

1.     WHERE ARE YOU IN TERMS OF YOUR RESEARCH?
Eric Crevels:

“Presently, I am working on the draft of the complete dissertation,
adapting the secondary research outputs into the overall narrative and argumentative structure of the thesis and assessing their results in relation to the primary research question.”

Anna Livia Vørsel:

“In December 2022, I completed my 50% seminar at KTH. The thesis currently exists as a full draft, with the vast majority of research data collected. The coming year will entail more unpacking of my case studies and new iterations of my chapters.”

Mara Trübenbach:

“I am writing my introduction and compiling all texts for the draft
dissertation.”

Filippo Cattapan:

“I am beginning to write the final dissertation.”

Claudia Mainardi:

“Almost done. Finalising the writing.”

Paula Strunden:

“I’ve publicly exhibited three case studies: Infra-thin Magick (Exhibit Gallery, Academy of Fine Arts Vienna, 9.7. – 16.10.2022), Alison’s Room (HNI Rotterdam, 24.11.2022 – 08.01.2023), and Rhetorical Bodies (Q21, 22.06. – 20.11.2022)
I’ve drafted my empirical chapters describing each of the three case studies, and am starting to write my methods and discussion chapter, introducing, contextualizing and reflecting upon the overall findings.”

Ionas Sklavounos:

“I am currently working on an overall draft of the thesis, with the preliminary title Building Insights. Architectural knowledge, lived experience and the crafting of place. It should be completed (together with the report to the EU) by the end of February.”

Jhono Bennett:

“Close to submitting for the ‘write-up’ year. Structure, aim and plan resolved.”

Caendia Wijnbelt:

“All three case-studies of the PhD have been carried out, helping to shape the core of the dissertation that is ongoing. The final chapter interweaving theoretical findings and outcomes of the studies is now also starting.”

Hamish Lonergan:

“I am currently in the writing phase of my research, finalising my dissertation manuscript and submitting articles to journals.”

 

 

2.     WHAT ARE YOUR PLANS FOR 2023?
Eric Crevels:

“The Doctoral program in TU Delft is set on a four-year schedule. My contract accommodates the disparity with the three-year EU program. The last year of my research is funded by TU Delft.”

Anna Livia Vørsel:

“My contract in Sweden is four years, so I have an additional year of funding.”

Mara Trübenbach:

“My contract ends in May, thus my PhD delivery will follow this summer.”

Filippo Cattapan:

“My plans are to write as much as possible and to look for compatible occupations that can provide financial support. My contract will not be extended.”

Claudia Mainardi:

“My contract will end in February 2023. Due to the nomination of my practice as curator of the Italian Pavilion at the 18th International Architecture Exhibition – La Biennale di Venezia the discussion of the dissertation has been postponed of few months.”

Paula Strunden:

“My current contract at ABKW is not extended. I have, however, applied for and received the Lektor*innenprogramm and the Dissertationsabschlusstipendium by the Academy of Fine Arts, giving me six more months to finish the writing and allowing me to teach a History/Theory seminar related to the topic of my PhD, entitled ‘Female Pioneers in the History of VR’.”

Ionas Sklavounos:

“Having received a contract extension for another year, I will be at the Faculty of Design Sciences at the University of Antwerp until March 2024, when I expect to defend the thesis.”

Jhono Bennett:

“I should get an extension to my work visa for 1 more year (in progress).”

Caendia Wijnbelt:

“My time at LUH ends on February 28th, 2023. Thereafter, I will intensively pursue finishing the PhD, and with further supervision, to hopefully deliver the dissertation by the end of the year. The last phase of my research is funded by Leibniz University Hannover.”

Hamish Lonergan:

“I expect to defend the dissertation in December 2023, supported by a grant from the Department of Architecture at ETH Zurich.”

 

 

3.     WHAT IS THE MOST STRIKING THING YOU WILL TAKE AWAY FROM TACK – PERSONALLY AND/OR ACADEMICALLY?
Eric Crevels:

“Personally, the participation in the TACK network allowed me to broaden my world view, as it gave me the opportunity to engage with diverse people and experience the environments of architecture around Europe. For my research, the contact with many highly skilled professionals, scholars and researchers coming from diverse backgrounds strengthened my position and expanded my critical horizons, apart from giving me the opportunity to work in topics and environments otherwise I would not.”

Anna Livia Vørsel:

“The most striking thing I am taking away from TACK is the network itself. It has been fantastic to conduct the research alongside nine incredible PhD colleagues, and a very valuable experience to research in a broad European network. The professional and personal relations from the network have been very important to me.”

Mara Trübenbach:

“That although the ESRs are all located in different cities, and even if our mobility suffered due to Covid-19 regulations, we have a very strong federation among us.”

Filippo Cattapan:

“A certain idea of the research I would like to do and of the kind of academic environment in which I would like to do it.”

Claudia Mainardi:

“An interesting and heterogeneous network of researchers, professors, professionals and curators from all-around the world. It helped me to sharpen my research tools and overcome my fear of writing :)”

Paula Strunden:

“Personally: The help, support and friendships formed among the group of ESRs. Research-wise: Despite the realisation of how different the research cultures are in each country and academic institution across Europe, I’ve been positively surprised by how close-knit the networks are and how freely many academics move through and in between them.”

Ionas Sklavounos:

“What I am taking away from these three TACK years is how great it is to work within an international network, with inspiring colleagues and professors who know their subjects in depth. The potential inherent in such collaborations seems inexhaustible and I feel that it has been a truly formative experience both personally and academically.”

Jhono Bennett:

“Close network of like-minded researchers and peers.”

Caendia Wijnbelt:

“This first immersion in the academic research world has taught me a great deal about which aspects I may want to pursue in the coming years, in such an international context. Friendships that formed with the other ESRs are one of the most striking things that I take with me for the next stages.”

Hamish Lonergan:

“I have been particularly struck by the difficulties of observing, writing and analysing something as elusive as tacit knowledge in architectural education. I have found that this is easiest to grasp in the boundaries between communities of tacit knowledge, such as the summer school or the crit.”

 

 

4.     WHAT FIELD SHOULD BE EXPLORED IN GREATER DETAIL IN FUTURE RESEARCH?
Eric Crevels:

“The relationships (sometimes fruitful, sometimes problematic) between design and construction is a topic that should receive more focus in research, especially in architecture.”

Anna Livia Vørsel:

“This is a big question! Rather than point to one specific field, I would say research that pushes the boundaries of architectural research and practice. Research that work with different methods, looks to new research subjects, and aims to include voices that have often been excluded or omitted.”

Mara Trübenbach:

“The body as archive.”

Filippo Cattapan:

“Tacit knowledge in architecture.”

Claudia Mainardi:

“The crosspollination among disciplines enhancing a closer collaboration between academia and practice facing/tackling current preoccupations.”

Paula Strunden:

“Practice-led, design-led and artistic research methods.”

Ionas Sklavounos:

“One area of research that I recognize as promising for the future relates to the applications of ‘vernacular’ knowledge (often associated with rural environments) in contemporary urban contexts. It appears that in such exchanges and crosspollinations answers to contemporary global challenges can be sought, particularly regarding the role of the built environment in the new climatic regime.”

Jhono Bennett:

“Mine? Namely: Digital means of practising repair (social and physical). TACK: Societal/Architectural effects of biased/prejudiced forms of tacit knowledge on built environment”

Caendia Wijnbelt:

“The field of pluri-local empathy, which impacts so much of what all of us do.”

Hamish Lonergan:

“Future research on tacit knowledge could consider other important boundaries, such as the first-year studio.”