All Things Urban

The CCA was founded in 1979 by Phyllis Lambert as a new type of cultural institution, with the specific aim of increasing public awareness of the role of architecture in contemporary society and promoting research in the field.

We produce exhibitions, publications, and a range of activities driven by a curiosity about how architecture shapes—and might reshape—contemporary life. We invite architects, scholars, and the wider public to engage with our collection, deepening our understanding of the past and giving new relevance to architectural thinking in light of current disciplinary and cultural issues.

As an international research institution, the CCA operates in the spaces between architectural culture at large and academic discourse through exhibitions, publications, public events, and research programs. The CCA’s Research Fellowship Program supports innovative, advanced research to foster new kinds of intellectual exchange that spark long-term dialogue and debate. Fellowships are open to scholars, practitioners, thinkers, researchers, writers, and curators who intend to pursue interdisciplinary research on architecture, urbanism, landscape, and design at the CCA.

We welcome applications from individuals at various stages of their career and from various fields of study, including the history, theory, and criticism of architecture, urbanism, and landscape, as well as art history, design theory, anthropology, geography, sociology, literature, philosophy, cultural studies, media studies, and science and technology studies. Although proposed research projects may rely extensively on the CCA Collection as a primary source, we are interested above all in original projects that develop both critical readings and creative works, writings, or designs.

What topics interest us?

At the CCA we are working on a broad range of topics relevant to architectural discourse today. Current topics of particular interest include: the digital turn in processes of design and communication in architecture; the transformation of the profession or discipline and its relationship to society past and present; the role of photography within architectural visual culture, especially in the digital era; the relationship of architecture to the environment, in terms of the ways architects use, impact, and understand nature; and the historical role of architecture in decolonization and in the contemporary figuration of the so-called Global South. But we are eager to add other topics to this list, which tackle cultural, social, economic, technological, environmental and/or political issues.

Scholars applying to the Program should hold at least a doctoral degree. All other applicants, practitioners, and cultural producers must demonstrate substantial work experience and a commitment to publishing, exhibiting, and/or professional practice.

Research Fellows will be offered a residency at the CCA between June and August 2020, for a period of one to two months. Each Fellow will have access to a private office and receive a monthly stipend of CAD 5 000, as well as additional financial support for travel expenses. Based on the scope of the proposed research project, the CCA’s curatorial committee will determine the duration of the residency in discussion with each candidate in order to best support their project. In addition to a public presentation of their work-in-progress, Research Fellows are expected to participate in discussions, seminars, and workshops organized at the CCA, exchange with CCA staff, and engage with the local academic and architectural community.

We’re not fully sure whether this role is open to international candidates. If you would need visa sponsorship or work authorisation, we recommend checking directly with the employer before applying.