Host organisation: The Glasgow School of Art Archives and Collections
Project title: Researching GSA
Project description

The Glasgow School of Art’s Archives and Collections are a rich resource for the study of art, design, architecture and art education. The varied holdings, including paintings, artworks on paper, furniture, ceramics, textiles, sculpture, plaster casts, archives and architectural drawings, illustrate the history of the institution, the careers of notable graduates, and the development of its teaching practices since it was established in 1845.

GSA has recently established 'History, Heritage, Archives and Collections' as one of its four strategic research themes, along with 'Sustainable Environment and Economies', 'Cultural Landscape & Identity' and 'Health & Care'.

The Archives and Collections team have identified a number of potential research projects that align with the School’s research themes. These include, but are not limited to:

  1. Exploring the representation and contribution of women at GSA since its establishment, as well as highlighting relevant material within the collections such as works by women artists (e.g. Joan Eardley, Margaret Macdonald, Ann Macbeth, Bet Low and Jessie M King). This research could include the exploration of female representation on the teaching staff and the impact on teaching and practice as representation increased.
  2. Exploring disability at GSA by revealing stories about students and staff with disabilities, and how this may have affected their work and experiences at GSA (e.g. George Cameron Foley, Dorothy Smith).
  3. Surfacing LGBTQ histories at GSA by revealing stories relating to LGBTQ students and staff, and how LGBTQ identities may have influenced work, creative outputs and experiences at GSA.
  4. Researching black identities at GSA by examining the archive for information on black students, staff, life models, subject matter, as well as relevant student societies, events etc.
  5. Exploring the theme of migration in relation to GSA by surfacing stories about, for example, early international students and staff (e.g. Tsoo Hong Lee, Eugene Bourdon and Jean Delville), refugees (e.g. Isi Metzstein and Benno Schotz) and the current diversity of GSA’s student and staff body, student representative groups, events etc.
  6. Exploring themes of religion and spirituality within GSA’s Archives and Collections, particularly in terms of subject matter e.g. Christianity and art; architecture and places of worship etc.
  7. Exploring the theme of travel and transportation as subject matter at GSA and examining – e.g. cars in George Oliver’s photographs, student travel reports, Mackintosh’s Italian Sketchbook, designs for catamaran, Dugald Cameron’s aeroplane drawings etc.
  8. Researching the environment in relation to art, design and architecture, particularly the emerging themes of sustainability in materials and energy efficiency and the use of renewable energies in architecture (e.g. Colin Porteous material, recent accessions from David Ross, and Margaret Galt material). Also surfacing landscapes, cityscapes, seascapes as subject matter within GSA’s holdings.
  9. Exploring issues relating to health and wellbeing at GSA, e.g. medical visualisation in the School of Simulation and Visualisation (a recent acquisition focusses on 3D modelling of the Covid-19 virus); the development of medical equipment such as the ultrasound machine by Professor Dugald Cameron and the contribution of product design to innovations in healthcare; art as therapy for mental and physical wellbeing (Veronica Matthew); connecting with archives and art for dementia/mental health. Also worthy of exploration are the areas of creativity and mental health, and using object-based learning and the emerging practice of social prescription for health and wellbeing.
  10. Research on the theme of family and relationships, including couples such as Charles Rennie Mackintosh and Margaret Macdonald, Frances Macdonald and Herbert MacNair, Robert Colquhoun and Robert MacBryde (the “two Roberts”), Hugh Adam Crawford and Kathleen Mann (who had to give up her job when they married), Kit Grant and Margaret Grant, as well as family connections and GSA dynasties e.g. the Paterson family, the Bone family, the Anderson family, the Ballantine family. Also worthy of exploring would be the notion of family and relationships as subject matter in art, e.g. John Byrne’s Domestic Interior, photographs showing families, children etc.
  11. Using GSA’s institutional archives to identify winners of the Newbery medal (awarded each year to the top graduating student) plus research into the diversity of prize winners in terms of background discipline but also gender, ethnic minority, social background etc. This would also involve liaison with GSA’s alumni relations team.
  12. The evolution of the Mackintosh Building – using GSA’s estates papers, recently digitised student theses, and news cuttings to research how the building, its use and the perception of its value in GSA and the city has changed since it opened in 1899. This would include conducting oral history interviews with relevant stakeholders, potentially GSA janitors, cleaning staff, reception staff and project managers etc. 3D scans of the building, created by GSA’s School of Simulation and Visualisation, are also available for consultation.
  13. Using the archive of the Student Representative Council and GSA’s ephemera holdings to research links between social events, the curriculum, and the work produced by GSA students. A focus of this could be the links between artists and Glasgow’s music scene.

Outputs
  • Clear research goals: Using material from the Archives and Collections, the researcher will identify and undertake research into a particular research area.
  • Creating new content: we would like an introductory essay for the website, but blog posts, social media content, oral histories, tagging records with subject keywords, time-based media, conference papers, pop-up exhibitions, etc. may also be appropriate.
Location

Hybrid.
In order to access the archives and collections it will be necessary for the intern to be based at The Archives and Collections at The Whisky Bond. However, some material is available online and the intern is welcome to undertake some of their work from home, when and if appropriate.

Benefits to the researcher
  • primary access to Archives and Collections holdings
  • object handling skills
  • the opportunity to shape research goals
  • the opportunity to disseminate research via website, blogs, networks, events etc and build new audiences
  • working in a small team of heritage professionals
  • gaining insight into managing archives and collections
  • improving project management and organisation skills
  • networking opportunities.
Key relationships
  • Michelle Kaye, Collections Lead and internship mentor
  • wider GSA Archives and Collections team, including SGSAH CDA student
  • GSA Archives and Collections volunteers/student placements
  • GSA Archives and Collections users and audiences
  • GSA students and staff
  • related community groups.
Timescale

Start date (or must start by): Apr 2026

End date (or must end by): Aug 2026

Structure: Flexible work pattern, 1-3 days per week 

Subject areas

This opportunity would be relevant to the following subject areas:

Architecture; Creative Writing; Design; Visual Arts; Curating; Museum and Gallery Studies; Museum Policy & Management; Heritage Management; Conservation of Art and Textiles; Art History; Gender and Sexuality; Cultural Studies and Pop Culture; Information and Knowledge Management; Archives; Information Science and Retrieval; Information and Knowledge Management; Cultural History; Political History; Imperial/Colonial History; Religious History; Economic and Social History; Post-Colonial Studies; Scottish Studies; Law Relating to Property; New Media/Web-Based Studies; Gender and Sexuality. 

Person specification

A1. Knowledge Base
  • Essential: Subject Knowledge; Research methods – theoretical knowledge; Research methods – Practical application; Academic literacy and numeracy.
  • Desirable: Information seeking; Information literacy and management.
A2. Cognitive Abilities
  • Essential: Analysing; Critical thinking; Evaluating.
  • Desirable: Problem Solving.
A3. Creativity
  • Essential: Inquiring minds; Intellectual insight.
B1. Personal qualities
  • Essential: Enthusiasm; Perseverance; Integrity; Self-confidence; Self-reflection; Responsibility.
B2. Self management
  • Essential: Preparation and prioritisation; Commitment to research; Time management.
C1. Professional conduct
  • Essential: Respect and confidentiality.
C2. Research management
  • Essential: Research Strategy.
  • Desirable: Project planning and delivery.
D1. Working with others
  • Essential: Collegiality; Team working; Collaboration; Equality and diversity.
D2. Communication & dissemination
  • Essential: Communication methods.

First published: 9 October 2025

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