Prof. Ross Birrell’s interdisciplinary creative practice research is situated in the field of site-specific/contextual art and moving-image/audio installation, and explores inter-relationships between music, poetry, politics, and place. Projects combine theoretical and practical modes of inquiry and draw upon musical forms and modes to approach complex socio-political issues and conflicts. Birrell’s research is framed and informed by debates in Critical Theory, continental philosophy, phenomenology, eco-criticism. In this way, Birrell’s research projects interweave theory and practice, politics and poetics, art and philosophy, and often involve collaboration and co-production with divergent communities (eg. refugee classical musicians, equestrian long riders). Birrell works both solo and in collaboration with David Harding developing projects which embrace a range of media including film, sculpture, installation, music, text, events and publications. Exhibitions include documenta 14, Edinburgh Arts Festival, Glasgow International, Kunsthalle Basel, Rothko Chapel, Museo Tamayo, Portikus, and
4th Gwangju Biennale.

Birrell has supervised PhDs by Practice and by Thesis, has mentored PhDs by published work, and has acted as External Examiner on PhDs for University of Glasgow, University of St. Andrews, and Cumbria Institute of the Arts/University of Lancaster.

Birrell is interested in supervising doctoral research in the fields of interdisciplinary contextual art practice; site-specific art; critical inquiry in the fields of aesthetic theory, political theory and philosophy.

Birrell was founding editor of the open access e-journal, Art & Research: A Journal of Ideas, Contexts and Methods (ISSN: 1752 6388), a member of the AHRC Peer Review College and a peer reviewer for PEEK, Austrian Science Fund.