PhD, MA

Senior Lecturer, Cambridge School of Art


Email: sergio.fava@anglia.ac.uk

Room: Ruskin 217

Telephone: 0845 196 2198
International: +44 1223 363271 ext 2198



Sergio Fava's research activity page

Sergio Fava teaches the historical, cultural and theoretical dimensions of the visual arts. He has a special interest in qualitative research methods across the social sciences and the arts, and in the connections between the visual arts, technoscience, and religion (both current and historical). He currently teaches research methods, critical writing and contextual studies across the Masters programmes in the School of Art; contextual studies in the Photography BA; and supervises research projects in several BA programmes in the School of Art; as well as supervising Rob Tovey's doctoral research project, a 'practice led inquiry into the value and role of multiple viewpoint photo composites in the perception of space'. Sergio's teaching sometimes extends to practical modules on digital photography. In the past, he has taught Sociology and Religious Studies (at both undergraduate and postgraduate levels). Those disciplines continue to modulate his approach to the visual arts.

Sergio's research is conducted mostly through case-study examinations of the dependencies and connections between art, science and religion. This would fall, broadly, into the discipline of history of ideas; yet it also has a contemporary dimension, and it is conducted through post-disciplinary methods that mobilise (ransack?) concepts and tools from art history, science and technology studies, sociology of religion, environmental sociology, art theory, history of science, and theology.

As a visual artist, Sergio explores the visual dimensions of his theoretical research interests. This results in a partially autobiographical, partially impersonal approach; the 'impersonal' having to do with the agency of the non-human, the material-semiotic dimensions of making, their relations to audiences, and their power as methodological bridges between practice and theory.

Sergio initially studied for a BA in Philosophy (Information and Communication), at the University of Porto, in Portugal. He then spent the best part of 10 years as a technical consultant and project manager in critical database infrastructures and disaster recovery solutions for telecommunication companies in Europe, North America and the Middle East. He returned to academia through a practice-based MA in Photography from University College Falmouth, and a PhD in Sociology from Lancaster University.

Sergio welcomes proposals for doctoral research projects (practice-based or theory-based) in art theory and history; qualitative research methods in arts and social sciences; and on the intersections between religion, art and science. Interdisciplinary doctoral projects based in the School of Art and in other departments (Sociology, Computing, History, etc.) are especially welcome.

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