Student Details:

Student name: Ian Meechan
Student number: 515528
Programme:  BA(Hons)Photography
Unit title: Practice and Research

Feedback Details:
Tutor name: Dr Ariadne Xenou
Project number: 1
Feedback report: video with feedback summary written by the student
Tutorial
Date completed: Thursday 25th June 2026
 
Your Feedback:
Today’s meeting continued our discussion of my theme of ‘Home’ and refined my project plan. 

Dr Xeniou commented that my proposed project demonstrated a clear, personally meaningful line of enquiry centred on ‘Home’. The combination of still photography, cinematography and interviews provides a strong interdisciplinary approach that is appropriate for the unit outcomes.

We expanded on my personal experiences of migration, cultural identity and family connections between Scotland and Australia to provide an authentic foundation for the research. The exploration of home through family, locality, spirituality and personal identity remains broad, but focused enough to sustain the unit.
I feel that I have too many ideas and initially approached the unit in the same manner as previous ones. After speaking with Dr Xenou, I have a clearer sense of a singular approach, supported by related ideas. 

The decision to undertake a Critical Review rather than a Dissertation aligns well with my practice-led methodology. I need to develop a reflective and analytical discussion that directly supports practical work and emerging visual outcomes. Dr Xeniou encouraged me to experiment with my writing and directed me to the University of Toronto website. After viewing the site, I found it extremely useful and will continue to use it.
I still need to clarify whether I can continue using my Wix website for assessment submissions. I was able to do this with previous units; however, I still have to confirm if this can continue in the future. As a result, I reached out to fellow students for their opinion on what they use. Most replies use Padlet for submission as well as Spaces. I informed Dr Xenou that I have always had issues with Spaces and have never tried Padlet. I have now registered for Padlet and will begin submitting my work there and Spaces as well. I will also continue updating my website to show how I would like to present my work upon completing my degree.

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Strengths Identified:
• Strong personal connection to the research topic.
• Clear integration between practical and theoretical research.
• Use of photography, moving image and interviews.
• Well-structured project schedule with achievable milestones.
• Potential for meaningful engagement with perspectives on home and belonging.

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Points for Development:
Begin identifying key photographic, film and interdisciplinary practitioners whose work explores identity, place, memory and belonging.
Develop a research journal to document reflections, decisions and emerging themes throughout the project.
Consider ethical procedures and permissions when conducting interviews and recording participants.
Continue refining the central research question to remain focused while allowing for multiple perspectives.
Start planning how still and moving-image work will be integrated into the final exhibition and film outcome.

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Agreed Actions:
• Continue development and completion of future projects, research and visual experimentation and updating previous projects on Padlet, Spaces and Wix.
• Expand contextual research and practitioner references.
• Maintain progress against the submitted project schedule.
• Prepare initial visual and research outcomes for review at the next tutorial.

 

Future tutorial meeting agreed:
24 July 2026 at 12:00 pm.

Project / Assessment Schedule

Project one : Completion of P1 and discuss with tutor my plan 19/06/26
Project two : Progress update 06/07/26
Project three : Progress update 03/08/26
Project four : Finish Project A 07/09/26
Project five : Submit first draft of Critical Review 05/10/26
Project six : Start Project B 02/11/26
Project seven : Submit final draft of Critical Review 07/12/26
Project eight : Progress update 03/01/27
Project nine : Final review and update to complete project for submission 7/02/27
Project ten : Finish Project B – Submit March Assessment

Once you have completed all of your projects you can apply for assessment. 
Guidance on applying and preparing for assessment is available via Assessment Guidance on OCA Learn.