My principal research interests are in a combination of the fields of the sociology of knowledge, the history of ideas mostly centred on politics, sociology, and art. I presently run a post-graduate course that combines social theory and art history at Glasgow School of Art and have taught Politics, Comparative Politics and Sociology at Glasgow University and Sociology and Politics at Strathclyde. I have also been an Assistant Lecturer in Political History at the School of Journalism and Creative Media at the University of the West of Scotland.
2007- 2011 Ph.D. — Strathclyde University, Glasgow
2006-2007 MRes Social Research — Strathclyde University.
2005-2006 Public Interest Research Fellowship —Strathclyde University, Glasgow
1981-1985 BA (Hon) Fine Art —Glasgow School of Art
1996-2003 Editor Variant Magazine, Glasgow
1991-1996 Organiser New Visions Festival of Film, Video and New Media, Glasgow
1985-1996 Organiser Free University of Glasgow
1986-1991 Chairman, Treasurer and Exhibitions Organiser Transmission Gallery, Glasgow
I’ve written numerous essays, catalogues reviews and reports over the years and organised numerous art and cultural events. These are some selected essays:
Clark, William (1997) ‘The Musa Anter Peace Train,’ Variant, No. 4, pp. 14-20.This is an extensive report of the international protest efforts towards the situation in Kurdistan. I was the only British journalist on the convoy which itself was attacked by the Turkish military and paramilitary forces as it aimed to attend a Peace Festival. The article went on to form the basis of the report that was sent to the European Union and contributed to representations related to Turkey’s entry into the EU. https://www.variant.org.uk/pdfs/issue4/peace.pdf
Clark, William (1998) ‘Good News: The Glasgow University Media Group,’ Variant No. 7, pp. 8-12.This takes the form of an introduction and short history of the Glasgow Media Group followed by an interview with Greg Philo, one of the main instigators of the research group since the mid-seventies. The interview touched on the ‘cultural compliance’ of sociology and its failure to address social realities. https://www.variant.org.uk/pdfs/issue7/GUMG.pdf
Clark, William (2001) ‘A conversation with James Kelman,’ Variant, No. 12, pp. 3-8.This is an informal conversation that nevertheless sets out a poignant indictment of the dominant factors that influence Scottish culture. It ranges over contemporary and historical developments, attitudes and concerns providing a compelling, honest insight and testimony as to what it is like to work as an artist in Scotland. https://www.variant.org.uk/pdfs/issue12/Kelman.pdf
Clark, William (2001) ‘Metaphysical Pathos,’ Variant, No. 12, pp. 19-23. The title is a sociological phrase which ‘describes the underlying mood of pessimism informing analyses of bureaucracy’ taking the example of the SAC’s ‘Care Diligence and Skill’. It concludes with a socio-economic observations on the nature of arts policy compared to the evidential experience of artists and organisations.
https://www.variant.org.uk/pdfs/issue12/Clark.pdf
Clark, William (2001) ‘Being Here, Bob Holman Interviewed,’ Variant, No. 13, pp. 14-16.A former professor of social administration at Bath University, Holman moved to Glasgow’s Easterhouse to work amongst the people there. The interview draws on his experience but mainly focuses on the agendas which influence the administration of the poor. https://www.variant.org.uk/pdfs/issue13/Holman.pdf
Clark, William (2001) ‘The Tainted Word,’ Variant, No. 13, pp. 3-7.An investigation into the work of the often quoted but little understood consultancy Demos. This begins with their input into arts policy and the background to one or two of their key figures. The organisations which have developed from Demos are analysed and the article ends with further analysis and comment on the government’s adoption and enforcement of policies based on the very flawed social analysis which Demos provide. https://www.variant.org.uk/pdfs/issue13/Clark.pdf
New Minds Eye 