Research underpins everything we do at Tate from exhibition making, acquiring artworks and understanding how to care for them to our world leading scholarship in art history, learning and education programmes and innovative approaches to engaging with our audiences.
To find out more about research currently happening at Tate, you can browse online, subscribe to our online publications and visit our facilities, archives and libraries.
Access to all Tate’s research resources is free.
As a leading research institution, these include our collection online, the Tate Library and Archive, the Reading Rooms and the Prints and Drawings Rooms.
In addition, online resources include Tate Papers – our peer reviewed research journal, pages dedicated to our international research fellowships and documentation of past and current research projects and events.
The Shared Research Repository for cultural and heritage organisations, hosted by the British Library, brings together research from institutions including Tate, the British Museum and the National Trust.
The Library and Archive are free for all to use but require you to register and book an appointment with the Reading Rooms before your visit. For more information, including how to register and book an appointment as well as opening times and catalogues, visit the webpage for the Reading Rooms.
Tate Papers is our peer reviewed online journal and research platform focusing on art and museum practice. Published twice a year in themed editions, the journal reflects the breadth of Tate’s collection, exhibition programme and activities.
To read the latest issue and browse past articles visit Tate Papers. For information on editorial policies and processes, including how to submit and peer review, see About Tate Papers.
For the latest news and opportunities in research at Tate, you can sign up to our quarterly newsletter. To do this, please email researchnewsletter@tate.org.uk and you will be added to our mailing list.
The Research Department supports the activities of all teams across Tate, playing an integral role in furthering the frontiers of knowledge and practice across the organisation.
We support projects concerned with in the social, educational and economic aspects of art, museum and gallery practice and art based initiatives, as well as art history, conservation, interpretation and audience engagement.
The primary way of undertaking doctoral research with Tate is through the Collaborative Doctoral Landscape Award (CDLA). This pathway offers fully funded AHRC studentships which are jointly supervised by Tate and a UK Higher Education Institute. Tate has up to four AHRC CDLA studentships to allocate during each year and these are advertised on the Research pages each spring.
Academic institutions interested to partner in other types of doctoral research at Tate are invited to complete our Expression of Interest form and let us know about your topic and plans for collaboration. If you are unable to access the form, please email research@tate.org.uk. Due to the large number of external requests we receive, we can only contact those whose research requests can be facilitated.
Fellowships are a flexible mechanism whereby an individual practitioner is enabled to progress their research through access to funding and other relevant support. Currently, the Fellowship Programme at Tate is principally delivered through the Brooks International Fellowship. Applicants respond to an annual open call on themes defined by Tate. Applications to the Brooks International Fellowship Programme are only accepted during the open call period, which is announced on e-Flux Education.
Those interested in potentially undertaking other types of fellowship at Tate are invited to complete our Expression of Interest form and let us know about your topic and plans for collaboration. If you are unable to access the form, please email research@tate.org.uk. Due to the large number of external requests we receive, we can only contact those whose research requests can be facilitated.
Unfortunately, due to the busy nature of staff schedules, we are unable to facilitate:
- Requests to carry out audience research at Tate (for example, interviewing members of the public)
- Requests to interview Tate staff
- Requests for mentorship from Tate staff
- Requests to access Tate data or information about Tate which is not already publicly available online or viewable in Tate’s Reading Rooms
Tate does not accept speculative applications for internships or work experience places. All vacancies are advertised online.
Tate is unable to authenticate or value works of art. For advice regarding the identification or valuation of works of art, contact a reputable art dealer or auction house.
For any inquiries email research@tate.org.uk.
