Alumni

Here's what some of our graduates are up to:

Daniel Rooney,
Graduated 2015

Daniel is currently completing a Masters degree in Visual and Critical Studies at the Dublin School of Creative Arts.

"Studying for the BA in Visual and Critical Studies (Contemporary Visual Culture) at D.I.T, presented me with an excellent opportunity to engage my main areas of interest such as aesthetics, philosophy and film theory for example.

The course is highly engaging as well as being both meticulously detailed, with regard to coursework and readings, and open enough so as to have each student weave their own path through the work, focusing on their own specific interests.

The course also provided access to a network of contacts through both its series of guest lecturers and the opportunities granted via engagements in various institutions including the IFI, NIVAL and so on. For example, the research undertaken at the IFI led to my first published work surrounding the Horgan collection in the Institute's archives.

The course also provided an opportunity for us, as a class, to organise our own conference at which we each presented research surrounding iterations of horror in visual culture – which again highlights how open the course trajectory is.

Currently my MA research has followed a similar trajectory as that undertaken during the BA focusing primarily on the emergent Black Metal Theory, combining my aforementioned areas of interest in an investigation of the role of horror, mythologies and avant-garde practice in heavy metal music." 

Emer Kenny, 

Graduated 2014

Emer has since completed an MA in Visual Culture - Art in the Contemporary World at the National College of Art and Design Dublin.

"Throughout my three years of study at DIT, I found it to be consistently energetic and captivating. The BA in Contemporary Visual Culture provides its students with a platform from which they can explore wide faceted fields such as art, media, architecture, film and history. The range of module choice allows the individual to tailor the course to their own specific interests, while still remaining a part of an intimate class collective, unlike other arts programs. 

The marriage of independent research and group discussion encourages students to animate the intellect by introducing new ideas and experience the value in developing concepts through discourse. The module structures were largely divided between interactive practice (museum visits, guest speakers, work placements) and theory based learning. 

Perhaps one of the most memorable parts of my three years of study was my term in the National Museum of Decorative Arts and History, where I was situated for my work experience placement. My position in the Education Department gave me insight into the day to day operation of a revered cultural institution, allowing me bear witness to the cogs in motion behind closed doors and gain an understanding of where I might see myself in the future. 

After graduation I went on to complete MA Art in the Contemporary World at NCAD. I believe the BA Contemporary Visual Culture was an excellent precursor to my postgraduate studies. Thus far my research has been largely fixed on the exploration of how gender and cultural identity are expressed in visual culture. I am confident that BA CVC is one of the most dynamic, stimulating and rewarding courses available for potential students in Ireland today and I wouldn't hesitate to recommend it to anyone with an interest in the creative arts and the humanities."

Siobhán Doyle, 

Graduated 2014

Siobhán is currently researching a PhD at the Dublin School of Creative Arts on visual culture and the commemoration of political history.

She has also worked at the GAA Museum, Croke Park, Dublin, where she works as a museum assistant, tour guide and administrator, and presented her research on contemporary visual culture at conferences in Ireland and abroad.

"Studying BA in Visual and Critical Studies (now BA Contemporary Visual Culture) at DIT has given me many opportunities and advances in my career since completing the course. I am working as a Museum Assistant, Tour Guide and Adminstrator in The GAA Museum, Croke Park where I assist in exhibition planning, front of house duties, hosting children's workshops, conducting tours and providing administrative support to all departments within the GAA and Croke Park Stadium. Returning to full time education as a mature student was an easy transition thanks to the support provided by DIT and I am hugely appreciative of the dedication of staff members throughout the institution. While I am content at present in continuing full time employment within the museum sector, DIT will be my first choice should I decide to pursue post graduate education in the near future.

   
The BA programme allowed me to build an appreciation of all things visual from fine art to film and opened my mind to the importance of the visual in everyday society, culture and in creating national identity. The knowledge and enthusiasm of staff on the BA programme is second to none and their speciailization in a vast range of disciplines caters for the various interests of students. Regular visits to cultural sites and exhibitions ensured the course remained contemporary and enjoyable whilst the visiting lecture series gave students an opportunity to engage and network with industry professionals. My second year work placement in Glasnevin Museum was a particularly important aspect of the course for me as it made me certain of my desire to work in a museum environment on a permanent basis and also to undertake research which I have since presented at two international conferences: ('Things to Remember: Materializing Memories in Art and Popular Culture' International Conference Radboud University Nijmegen, and ‘Grave Matters; Death and Dying in Dublin 1500 – 2000’, a conference at Glasnevin Cemetery organized by the Dublin City Research Group).

I have a chapter in: Four Courts Press, 2016, Grave Matters: Death and Dying in Dublin 1650-2000, which explores the social, economic, legal and medical aspects of dying in Dublin. I am currently a core member of Team Ireland in the European Cultural Parliament Youth Network (ECP YN) which is a network for cultural practitioners united by a common interest in boosting the value of arts and culture, increasing European best practices exchange and collaboration and giving youth a voice in the public discourse and among decision makers."

Romy Dunford, 
Graduated 2014

Romy is currently working as an Activity Leader, in Barretstown Camp, County Kildare.

I have always nurtured a keen interest in visual culture and a great love of art and design. Studying for a BA in Visual and Critical Studies (now BA in Contemporary Visual Culture) opened my mind and allowed me to develop these interests, in new ways.

During my three years of study, I had the opportunity to take modules in a wide range of subjects, from typography to fine art and film. I was given the chance to visit libraries and explore archives, all the while being taught a broad understanding of contemporary visual culture and visual culture industries. It allowed me to mix both my own personal interests with theoretical teachings, which was demonstrated through my final year research project, entitled, The Impact of Urban Art on Two Recession Hit Cities: Dublin and Detroit. This was a project which was made possible because of my thoroughly supportive and genuinely interested lecturers and tutors.

The course struck a great balance between practical and theoretical learning. This included a six-week work placement. This work placement was valuable as it allowed me to gain new practical skills and build up connections and contacts. It also allowed me to visualize and understand where this degree could take me professionally, as well as helping me further understand my classroom learning in a non-classroom setting.

In addition to this, in our final year of study, my classmates and I organised and curated a seminar, entitled, Understanding the Contemporary Woman. Held at The Irish Museum of Modern Art, we each presented our own research papers focusing on the theme of post-feminist discourse. This was a fantastic opportunity, which allowed us to put what we had learned over our time studying at DIT into public practice. From beginning to end, organizing this seminar and finally presenting at it, was an invaluable experience and one which will resonate with me long into the future.

BA Contemporary Visual Culture is a thoroughly stimulating course, covering a broad spectrum of subjects.  It is a great platform for anyone interested in visual culture, offering many directions for further study or professional development. 

David Ingoldsby, 

Graduated 2013

David has since completed an MPhil in Film Studies - Theory, History, Practice at Trinity College Dublin. 

 

 "After 40 years working in IT, the BA opened a new way of looking at and understanding the visual culture with which we are surrounded. As a result of the course, I see the possibility of changing careers to one which will combine what I learned in BAVACS and my IT skills.

  

I’ve completed a Masters at Trinity: the M Phil in Film Studies - Theory, History & Practice. It is a taught post-graduate qualification. It is assessed by course work – essays, a practical exercise (in my case, a screenplay) – and a dissertation.  The BA course was an excellent grounding for this, since BAVACS was assessed in the same way (apart from the screenplay). It developed exactly the academic writing and referencing skills I needed. In addition, the skills of close analysis and interpretation of visual culture, and an awareness of the intellectual currents and aesthetic concerns relating to visual culture, which I got from BAVACS, helped me greatly.

         

I’m at present researching the life and work of the Irish-American director John Flynn."