How is artistic research supervised in a changing world?
A new European webinar series is bringing together researchers, teachers, supervisors and students in the arts from eight higher education institutions across Europe. Discussions on the supervision and assessment of research play an important role in supporting the quality of artistic research, says Tuuli Talvitie, Vice Dean for Research at the Sibelius Academy.
Artistic research is evolving rapidly. At the same time, issues such as research ethics, the impact of artificial intelligence, student wellbeing and the assessment of artistic research are generating increasing debate in higher education institutions across Europe.
Throughout the 2026-27 academic year, IN.TUNE, an alliance of eight European arts universities, will host a series of webinars in which participants can explore these themes through discussions led by experts.
“Artistic research is inherently international, yet many of its practices have developed within local contexts. Through IN.TUNE, we can learn from one another and jointly develop approaches to supervision and assessment that support the quality of research across the European arts education sector,” says Talvitie.
Comparing practices across different countries and institutions helps identify both common challenges and effective solutions. Collaboration enables universities to address shared issues and develop new approaches that can benefit the wider field.
According to Talvitie, network-based collaboration is especially important at a time when technological developments and wider societal changes are also reshaping research and the work of researchers.
“Questions concerning the use of artificial intelligence, research ethics and researcher wellbeing are not challenges faced by individual institutions alone. Addressing them through international collaboration helps build expertise and develop solutions that benefit both the alliance members and the wider arts and research community.”
Benefits for students, researchers and institutions
The webinars will provide participants with opportunities to share experiences and compare practices across countries and institutions. At the same time, the programme supports IN.TUNE’s broader aim of strengthening European cooperation in artistic research.
“Artistic research operates within a constantly changing environment. That is precisely why we need international forums where we can collectively reflect on issues such as artificial intelligence, research ethics and wellbeing.”
Talvitie also sees the series as a way of strengthening a shared European understanding of what high-quality artistic research means today.
“When researchers, students and supervisors engage in dialogue across institutional and national boundaries, new perspectives and shared expertise emerge. This strengthens the sector’s ability to respond to future challenges. One of the greatest strengths of the IN.TUNE alliance is the opportunity to develop artistic research practices together with European partners. In doing so, we can create models and approaches that may have an impact far beyond the alliance itself.”
IN.TUNE is the first European university alliance dedicated to music and the arts. The member institutions are committed to developing a shared long-term strategy aimed at strengthening the quality, impact and international competitiveness of arts education and research. The webinar series is free of charge and open to staff and students at all alliance institutions.
