Archival Pliability: Oral Histories and Arts-Based Research

Presented by Dr. Jody Stokes-Casey

This doctoral colloquium explores oral history as a research methodology, with particular attention to the practical and methodological considerations involved in developing and sustaining a long-running research project.

Drawing on her ongoing project, Oral Histories of Art Education in Kentucky, Dr. Jody Stokes-Casey, Assistant Professor of Art Education at the University of Kentucky, will share how oral history can be used to document individual experiences while also illuminating broader histories, practices, and institutional contexts. She will discuss methods and procedures for developing a successful oral history project, including considerations involved in collecting, organizing, interpreting, and sustaining a body of oral history data over time.

Inside the Edited Volume: From Concept to Contribution

This Doctoral Colloquium explores what it takes to publish an edited academic book, both from the perspective of serving as an editor and contributing as an author. Topics include developing a concept, inviting and supporting contributors, navigating publisher expectations, and understanding timelines and responsibilities. Doctoral students will gain insight into the collaborative process and how to position themselves successfully in edited collections.

Navigating the landscape of research funding and proposal development can be challenging—especially for scholars in the arts and humanities. This session, led by the University of Kentucky's Proposal Development Office (PDO), is designed to support doctoral students in Arts Administration as they prepare to seek external funding for research, creative projects, and professional development.

Through a focused and practical discussion, this session will introduce participants to strategies for identifying competitive funding opportunities aligned with their scholarly goals. It will cover how to assess funding fit, interpret calls for proposals, and develop compelling proposal narratives tailored to funders' expectations in the arts and humanities. Participants will also gain insight into the full lifecycle of proposal development, including budgeting, timeline planning, and submission logistics.

Embracing the Enemy: The Benefits of A.I. in the Music Industry

Prof. Alan Salzenstein, DePaul University

The music industry has been fixated on the effects of Artificial Intelligence on the creation, consumption, and distribution of music. As of March 2024, over 200 internationally renowned music artists including superstars Billie Eilish, Nicki Minaj, Stevie Wonder, and Jon Bon Jovi published an open letter calling upon A.I. developers, tech companies, and digital platforms to cease the use of A.I. which infringes upon and devalues the rights of artists. Responses to the topic of A.I. have run the gamut – feelings of concern, fear, apathy, anger, opportunity, and immorality. It has been considered the new evil of the industry with a dark side that can impact creativity, erode humanity, authenticity, and emotion. Those concerned feel that there will be compromised artistry and loss of artistic identity. There are ethical and transparency concerns, raising questions about intellectual property rights and copyright infringement. And since A.I. is trained on existing data, alarm bells are sounding about the potential reinforcement of existing biases, unintended prejudice, and cultural appropriation.