What is Practice-as-Research?
Practice-as-Research (PaR) treats artistic practice as a rigorous form of inquiry: the creative work itself is both the method and primary research outcome, supported by critical reflection and documentation. At HKAPA, PaR seeks to develop operational knowledge that advances professional artistry, pedagogy, and public understanding, rather than merely producing an artefact. The approach is integrated across HKAPA’s undergraduate and postgraduate curricula.
HKAPA uses the umbrella term Practice-as-Research; in other contexts the same approach may be called Artistic Research, Creative Research, Practice-based Research, Practice-led-Research, or Performing Arts Research.
How does PaR relate to Undergraduate Education at HKAPA?
Undergraduate study at HKAPA introduces students to the habits and tools of PaR, building professional literacy and preparing them for careers and further study.
Students learn to critically analyse and reflect on their creative processes and to write about and archive creative work. The General Education Department offers the following Academy Electives that develop students’ competencies in PaR:
- Reflective Practice in Performing Arts
- Performing Arts Research
- Writing on Performing Arts
- Documenting Performing Arts
How does PaR relate to Postgraduate Education at HKAPA?
Postgraduate learning at HKAPA is both practice-based and inquisitive. Students conduct practice-led or practice-based inquiry and produce both creative outcomes and substantial exegesis that theorises and contextualises the work. The Performing Arts Research Department offers the following core competency courses for MFA/MMus/MA students to advance their research skills:
- Research and Practice-as-Research
- Process Writing
Each of the six Schools at HKAPA may also offer PaR-related courses and learning experiences tailored to their disciplines.