Vera Hadzhiyska

Vera Hadzhiyska is a Lecturer in Photography at the University of Portsmouth, affiliated with the School of Architecture, Art and Design within the Faculty of Creative & Cultural Industries. She holds both a BA and MA in Photography from the same institution, earned with distinction. Her academic and artistic career is deeply rooted in personal and collective histories of migration, identity, and memory.

Research Interests: Her interdisciplinary practice spans photography, archival research, video, and installation, focusing on cultural, national, and religious identity, particularly in Bulgaria and Eastern Europe. A central theme in her work is the forced name changes of Muslim populations in Bulgaria (1912–1989), explored through her long-term project With the Name of a Flower. She also actively researches Korean visual art, aiming to increase its visibility within the UK art scene.

Publications and Exhibitions: Her recent creative outputs include curated and solo exhibitions such as Six Feet Forward (2023), Names and Clay (2023), and Nothing But a Curtain (2023), which reflect her engagement with identity, technology, and political memory. These works integrate themes of AI, migration, and personal heritage, indicating a trajectory toward interdisciplinary and socially engaged art practices.

Scientific Awards:

• VID Foundation of Photography Award 2020
• Danny Wilson Memorial Award 2020 and 2022
• Developing Your Creative Practice Grant, Arts Council England 2021
• Belfast Exposed Future Curators Award 2023
• British Korean Society Grant 2023 and 2024
• Belfast Exposed Curatorial Award

Advising and Grants: While formal student advising is not detailed, Vera leads a Peer to Peer Feedback group since 2018, supporting artists in developing their practice. She has secured significant external funding, including grants from Arts Council England and the British Korean Society, demonstrating strong project leadership and research independence.

Labs and Teams: She leads several independent research projects such as With the Name of a Flower, Night Walks, and Family Screenshots, often collaborating with other artists like Zuzanna Rabikowska and Jiyeon Seo. Her curatorial projects involve collaborative teams and international networks, especially with Korean artists and institutions like Hongik University.