Creative film and media practice as research: In pursuit of that obscure object of knowledge

What are the continuities between research activity focused on creative practice, and other forms of film and media research? What are the methodological differences between practice-based research in the still and moving image and traditional academic scholarship in film and imaging studies? In response to the pressure to ‘publish or perish’ and to compete for scarce research funds, some creative media arts academics have sought to legitimize their practice-based work as a modality of systematic investigation that fits within a generic template of academic research. Given the specificity of creative arts activity and the distinctive forms of knowledge generated in and through practice-based research in the lens and screen-based media, is this strategy sustainable? Is it desirable? In this paper…