Burren College of Art is home to a vibrant culture and community of research that is integral to our academic programme. We are a community of researchers and practitioners who collaborate and support each other to engage in world class artistic research. Our research degrees are practice-based. MPhil and PhD students conduct practice-based research into a range of chosen topics, Masters students apply the rigour and systemic focus of a research orientated practice to the development of their work, and faculty and Research Fellows share and facilitate discourse around current research projects. Research at BCA represents a plurality of approaches to contemporary praxis, is international, interdisciplinary and informed by collaboration across multiple communities of practice.

Additionally, we sustain and develop partnerships across academic, cultural and artistic contexts which reflect our commitment to collaboration and support for diverse creative cultures. Our institutional partnerships include the University of Galway, Royal College of Art, London and the School of the Art Institute of Chicago. Faculty and staff also actively participate in ELIA (European League of Institutes of Art);  The ELIA Working Group on Art & Ecology; PARADOX, the European Fine Art Forum and PALS (Partnership in Academic Leadership and Sustainability).