Parallel Perspectives:
International Conference
on Artistic Research,
Design and Music
SZÉCHENYI ISTVÁN UNIVERSITY · GYŐR
20–21 NOVEMBER 2026 · FACULTY OF ARTS & DESIGN · SCIENCE PARK — SYNAGOGUE
Deadline · 15 October 2026
Fee · Free of charge
Organizer · Faculty of Arts & Design
Conference Overview
About the Event
The Parallel Perspectives conference series explores the dynamic intersections between artistic practice, design, music, and interdisciplinary research. Bringing together scholars, designers, artists, educators, and creative practitioners, it provides an international platform for examining how diverse forms of creative inquiry contribute to knowledge production, innovation, and contemporary cultural discourse.
Although the performing arts, applied arts, design, and artistic research have traditionally developed within distinct epistemological and methodological frameworks, these fields increasingly intersect in response to complex social, technological, environmental, and economic challenges. Artistic research provides the common conceptual framework connecting the different disciplinary perspectives represented at the conference.
The 2026 edition focuses on the transformative relationships emerging at the intersections of artistic autonomy, technological mediation, social responsibility, institutional structures, and innovation ecosystems.
Disciplinary Focus Areas
Three sections, shared perspectives.
Design Theory
The Design Theory section welcomes contributions examining the theoretical foundations, conceptual frameworks, and philosophical dimensions of design. The section encourages critical discussions addressing the evolving role of design as both a cultural practice and a mode of knowledge production.
Design is increasingly recognized not merely as a problem-solving methodology but as a strategic, cultural, and research-oriented practice capable of mediating between technological development, societal needs, environmental sustainability, and human experience. The section therefore seeks contributions that critically reconsider the theoretical role of design within higher education, research, creative industries, and innovation ecosystems.
Design Research
The Design Research section focuses on contemporary research methodologies, research-through-design approaches, practice-based inquiry, and interdisciplinary investigations addressing current societal and technological challenges. The section welcomes empirical, theoretical, methodological, and practice-based contributions that investigate how design generates new knowledge through experimentation, prototyping, reflection, collaboration, and critical inquiry.
Music Theory, Performance, and Music Education
The Music section addresses theoretical and practical questions relating to musical structures, interpretation, performance practices, and pedagogical models. Particular attention is given to processes of musical meaning-making, performativity, creativity, improvisation, and the relationship between historical and contemporary musical languages.
The section offers a forum for scholarly exploration of the intersections between music theory, theories of interpretation, performance studies, music education, and artistic research. We welcome presentations focusing on improvisation and its pedagogy, creative approaches in music education, historical and contemporary performance models, as well as practice-based and artistic research methodologies.
Thematic Area
Four questions across two fields.
Design Research and the Music section both invite presentations across the same four thematic frames — inviting parallel readings from distinct disciplinary vantage points.
01
Boundaries: Local – Global
Regional identity, cultural heritage and global innovation networks — cross-cultural collaboration and the international circulation of creative knowledge.
regional identity and global design cultures
localisation and internationalisation
cultural sustainability
place-based innovation
knowledge transfer across regions
regional and international musical traditions
creative ecosystems
cultural transfers
historical performance practices from an international perspective
musical identity and globalization
02
Artificial Intelligence: Support – Control
The opportunities and challenges of AI-assisted creativity, computational design and digital musical environments — authorship, ethics and responsible innovation.
AI in composition
AI in the performing arts
digital musical environments
issues of creativity and authorship
human–AI collaboration
generative AI in design
AI-assisted creativity
authorship and creative agency
ethical implications of AI
transparency and explainability
AI-supported education
responsible innovation
03
Future: Tradition – Innovation
How historical knowledge and cultural traditions interact with emerging technologies, speculative thinking and future-oriented methodologies in design and music.
speculative design
design futures
transition design
sustainable innovation
regenerative design
circular design
experimental pedagogy
future-oriented creative practice
historical and contemporary performance models
improvisation
creative music education
new models of arts research
04
Society: Rules – Tools
Governance, regulation and technological infrastructures — the societal role of art, music and design within institutional and educational systems.
design governance
institutional innovation
policy and regulation
social innovation
participatory design
inclusive design
responsible design
design for public value
higher education transformation
art education
community music
knowledge transfer
innovation in higher education
inclusion and access
Methodological Frameworks
Between reflection and practice.
Parallel Perspectives places particular emphasis on methodological diversity and interdisciplinary dialogue. The conference welcomes contributions employing qualitative, quantitative, mixed-method, theoretical, experimental, and practice-based approaches. By bringing together researchers and practitioners from diverse disciplinary backgrounds, the conference seeks to encourage dialogue between theoretical inquiry and creative practice while supporting innovative approaches to knowledge production.
ARTISTIC RESEARCH · METHODOLOGICAL LEVEL
Artistic research is understood as a form of inquiry in which creative practice constitutes an integral component of knowledge production. Both the creative process and its outcomes are regarded as research outputs and are integrated into scholarly discourse through critical reflection and systematic documentation.
Particular attention is given to research that examines the role of documentation, reflection, and knowledge production within creative practice. We particularly welcome contributions that address the potentials of artistic research, creativity, improvisation, knowledge transmission, pedagogical innovation, and interdisciplinary collaboration.
LECTURE RECITAL · PRACTICAL LEVEL
The lecture recital is an integrated form of presentation and performative demonstration in which theoretical reflection and artistic practice are intertwined. Within the framework of the conference, the primary venue for this format is the Synagogue (Faculty of Arts & Design), which, thanks to its acoustic and spatial characteristics, is well-suited to hosting musical, artistic, and interdisciplinary presentations.
Keynote Programme
Keynote Speakers
Keynote lectures from internationally recognized scholars and artist-researchers offering distinct perspectives on artistic research, music performance, music psychology and creative practice.
Barbara Lüneburg
Confirmed
Austria
Jeroen Malaise
Confirmed
belgium
Dr. László Stachó
Confirmed
Hungary
Dr. Fekete Anikó
Confirmed
Hungary
András Keszei
Confirmed
Hungary
Ildikó Király
Confirmed
Hungary
Gábor Kőszegi
Confirmed
Hungary
Tamás Móser
Confirmed
Hungary
Additional invited keynote speakers from Europe and beyond will be announced as confirmations are received.
Programme
Activity Series
Two days of lectures, lecture recitals, awards and a grand concert at the Synagogue — spaces for scholars, artists and educators to think and perform together.
Lecture series
Awards
grand concert
Registration & Participation
Submit your proposal.
Participation is free of charge. Any publication fees (APC) remain the responsibility of the author. Applications are evaluated by the conference’s scientific committee.
PRESENTER
- Concise professional CV (150–200 words)
- Title of the presentation
- Extended abstract (400–500 words) + 3–5 keywords
- Affiliation (if applicable)
- Selected section (Design Theory, Design Research, Music Theory, Performance, and Music Education)
Abstract structure: justification of topic · research aims · theoretical background · methodology · research question or hypothesis · expected results · key references.
LECTURE RECITALIST / PERFORMER
- Brief professional resume (150–200 words)
- Title and programme outline
- Abstract (250–300 words)
- Artistic and research concept
- Technical requirements
Publication Outputs
From proceedings to peer review.
Proceedings
Accepted abstracts will be published in a conference proceedings volume with an ISBN. Authors will be invited to submit full papers for peer review in an open-access publication following the conference.
Special Issue
The Organizing Committee intends to initiate discussions with the editorial board of the Arts journal regarding a thematic Special Issue on artistic research, music, design and interdisciplinary methodologies. Publication is subject to standard peer-review and editorial procedures.
Agile Publication Policy
The conference pursues an agile publication policy, facilitating publication of authors’ contributions across a variety of journals.
Supported by
Partners and supporters of the Parallel Perspectives conference.
