College Celebrates Lecturer Louise Ritchie’s PhD Achievement

The College is delighted to celebrate the outstanding achievement of Louise Ritchie, Lecturer in Fine Art, who has recently completed her PhD at Duncan of Jordanstone College of Art & Design (DJCAD), University of Dundee. This significant milestone marks years of dedication, artistic exploration, and academic rigor, and we are immensely proud of her accomplishment.

Louise’s doctoral research, titled Automaking: A Reflexive Nomenclature of Practice-Based Research, introduces the term ‘Automaking’—a pioneering way to visually map an artist’s life through creative practice. Unlike traditional ‘autobiography’ or ‘autotheory’ in literature, Automaking presents an artist’s journey through the processes and outcomes of their work. Louise’s thesis is structured around seven exhibitions undertaken during her research, each paired with reflective writings on art, practice, and personal experience.

Generously supported by the College’s Enhanced Qualifications Scheme, which funded 50% of her PhD fees, Louise has expressed immense gratitude for both the financial support and the encouragement provided by faculty members and the Organisational Development (OD) team throughout her journey.

Reflecting on her PhD journey, Louise shared: “A PhD is quite a ride—exhilarating at times, often lonely, and full of challenges as you uncover new knowledge and learn to articulate it,” Louise shared. “It has spanned a period of global disruption, personal challenges, and countless adjustments to my research. But despite the difficulties, the thrill of discovery and the opportunity to share my work kept me going.”

Beyond her research, Louise has actively enriched the College’s Fine Art program by integrating new approaches to practice-based arts research into her teaching. She has introduced her students to Post Graduate Research symposia and conferences, provided guidance on professional artistic careers, and initiated writing retreats to strengthen students’ text-based practice. Her work has already influenced a new generation of artists, with students expressing appreciation for her innovative insights and mentorship.

One of the seven core exhibitions in her thesis, thought space at South Block Gallery in Glasgow (2022), was a collaboration with City of Glasgow College Fine Art colleagues Celia Garcia and Lorna Mitchell. This exhibition explored their roles as artist-educators and how they create time and space for creative learning.

Alison Bell, Dean of Faculty for Creative Industries, said: “The faculty is absolutely thrilled by Louise’s incredible achievement. Earning a PhD is no small feat—it requires perseverance, countless hours of research, and a deep passion for learning. We are immensely proud and look forward to the positive impact this will have on students, faculty, and Louise’s career.”

We congratulate Louise on this remarkable achievement, which stands as a testament to the power of practice-based research in shaping contemporary artistic discourse. As she now looks to mentor other academics considering doctoral research, her impact will continue to grow—both within the College and across the wider arts community.