*CALL FOR PHD APPLICATIONS*
The Design Research Innovation Lab at Victoria 
University of Wellington's (NZ) School of Design 
is pleased to announce we are currently 
accepting applications for students interested 
in pursuing a PhD in Design. The application deadline is 1 March 2011.
*Call for Candidates*
Victoria University of Wellington's Design 
Research Innovation Lab invites applications for 
PhD candidates. Prospective candidates with 
exceptional creative and analytical skills 
seeking to study design from philosophical, 
cultural and practice-led perspectives are 
encouraged to apply. Potential candidates will 
be expected to make a substantial contribution 
to design knowledge, extending current 
understanding within the discipline and discourse of design research.
The DRIL PhD programme emphasises the 
advancement of interdisciplinary knowledge and 
supports practice-led research through its 
emphasis on creativity as a process of 
investigation, culminating in an original design 
composition and a substantial written exegesis 
critically analysing the methodology, process, 
and documentation of the final creative composition.
The program has three areas of concentration: 
Digital Media, Culture+Context and Industrial 
Design. Our current areas of research focus and expertise include:
> Design-Led Futures for Science, Technology & Energy
> Digital Image Cultures & Digital Media Design
> Historical & Cultural Studies of Design
> Interaction Design & Emotion
DRIL is a dynamic research group driven by the 
interests and expertise of outstanding research 
faculty as well as the research projects of 
participating PhD students. The DRIL programme 
fosters a vibrant and collaborative 
interdisciplinary research environment that 
cultivates respect for different perspectives 
and emphasises a willingness to explore new and 
challenging ways of thinking, doing and making. 
While particular research strands are identified 
above, innovative collaborations are encouraged 
and new researchers will be supported through 
the development of research partnerships both 
within the University and externally with 
industry and public organisations. To support a 
variety of research interests and activities, 
students have access to excellent facility 
resources including multimedia computers and 
software, an electronics lab, woodworking and 
metal workshops, laser cutters, CNC routers and 
3D rapid-prototyping facilities.
Through the Design Research and Innovation Lab 
students also have the opportunity to actively 
participate in professional academic life. Our 
diverse faculty provide collegial mentorship in 
research activities from reading groups and 
proposal writing workshops to preparing 
conference presentations, exhibitions and 
publications. DRIL also supports the School's 
research-led teaching efforts, and postgraduate 
students have the opportunity to deliver 
design-related courses as part of our Bachelor 
and Master of Design Innovation programmes. 
Scholarships and doctoral assistantships are 
available to exceptional students on a 
competitive basis, and further funding 
opportunities may be available through faculty research projects.
We hope that you are inspired to learn more 
about our programme and faculty 
(http://www.vuw.ac.nz/design/) and we look forward to hearing from you.
*For details on how to apply, please visit:*
http://www.victoria.ac.nz/fgr/prospective-phds/applying.aspx
*For information on scholarships, please visit:*
http://www.victoria.ac.nz/home/admisenrol/payments/scholarships/
*For further information, please contact:*
Dr Anne Galloway
Chair, Research Sub-Committee
School of Design
Victoria University of Wellington
PO Box 600
Wellington 6140, New Zealand
(T) +64 04 463 6230
(E) (anne.galloway /at/ vuw.ac.nz)
Dr Leon Gurevitch
Postgraduate Research Coordinator
School of Design
Victoria University of Wellington
PO Box 600
Wellington 6140, New Zealand
(T) +64 04 463 6207
(E) (leon.gurevitch /at/ vuw.ac.nz)
*Documents required for PhD application:*
1. A portfolio of creative work demonstrating 
the breadth of the applicantâ??s prior experience in
design or related creative discipline.
2. A statement of research interests.
3. An example of academic writing.
4. Two referees' reports provided on the correct 
VUW template, sent by the referee only from a 
verifiable institutional email address, or as a signed hard copy.
5. Verified transcripts and certificates for 
each national and/or international degree earned 
and, if from an EU country, the Diploma 
Supplement. (International students must also include grade
conversion tables.)