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Unit Events and Seminars


The Unit has an active seminar series in which group members and invited guest speakers are given the chance to present and discuss their latest research. These seminars are open to all, especially PGR researchers. The Unit has organised a number of symposia related to its research projects. It has also hosted major international conferences on theatre and performance studies, such as the Theatre and Performance Research Association (TaPRA) Conference in 2010. Our conferences bring together not only UK and international academics but also policy makers and industry professionals.

  • Arts & Wellbeing: Simone Kleinlooh (Codarts, Rotterdam) and Dr Thania Acarón (USW), 2020
  • Technology & Performer Training: Dr Maria Kapsali (University of Leeds) and Dr Christina Papagiannouli (USW), 2020. Read the event review by Denis Cryer Lennon in Theatre, Dance and Performance Training Journal.
  • Practice through Research: The Terrifying Miracle of Recorded Sound: Matt Brennan, Graeme O’Hara and Kyle Devine, 2019
  • Is there a future for Popular Music Heritage?, Prof. Paul Long (Birmingham Centre for Media and Cultural Research), 2019
  • Transmedia Historiography as Educational Practice: Narrativising Colombian Cultural Memory Across Media, Dr Matthew Freeman (Bath Spa University), 2019
  • Becoming actor, becoming animal – and the cage of theatre’s institutional practice, Prof. Ildikó Ungvári Zrínyi (University of Arts, Târgu-Mures), 2018
  • Exploring best practice in practice based research supervision around Europe, Dr Annette Fillery-Travis (University of Wales Trinity Saint David), 2018
  • Supportive Processes for Practice-as-Research in the Institution presentation and documents, Dr Alison Matthews and Dr Jo Scott (University of Salford), 2018
  • After Othello, Before Desdemona: Intersections of Race, Gender, and Class in Harlem Duet by Djanet Sears and Desdemona by Toni Morrison and Rokia Traoré Valentina Rapetti (Università Roma Tre, Italy), 2017
  • TV Dinners: Television and Eating Dr Amy Holdsworth (University of Glasgow), 2017
  • Reflections on Director training methods in Postgraduate Education Dr Eva Patkó (University of Arts, Tirgu Mures, Romania), 2016
  • Assembling a platform to stage Participating Cultures, Dr David Goldenberg, 2016
  • Graveyard voices: the Cathays Cemetery Heritage podcasts, Prof. Richard Hand (USW), 2015
  • Cathays Cemetery Heritage Walk: graveyard voices, Prof. Richard Hand (USW), 2015
  • Fields of Play: Storying Knowledge in Social Impact Games, Dr Misha Myers (Falmouth University), 2015
  • Somatic and Kinaesthetic Approaches to Language for Students with Dyslexia, Dr Jodie Allinson (USW), 2014
  • Scenic Narration: Between Film and Theatre, Prof. Ildikó Ungvári Zrínyi (University of Arts, Tirgu Mures, Romania), 2014
  • Sting and the Gravitational Pull of Newcastle, Dr Paul Carr (USW), 2014
  • Playlists and and Podcasts – Recording and Reception of The Loose Goose Radio Show, Dr Peter Jachimiak and Steve Johnson (USW), 2014
  • Material Authenticity and the Renaissance of the Handmade: The Aura of the Analogue, Prof. Susan Luckman (University of South Australia), 2014
  • Discourses of popular politics, war and authenticity in Turkish pop music Prof. Lyndon Way (Izmir University of Economics), 2014
  • “I can’t believe he has died”: Post-object fandom, ontological security, and actor/character deaths, Dr Rebecca Williams (USW), 2014

Performance and Gender events are envisaged as spaces to explore, critique and enrich perspectives on gender and its representations in contemporary (visual) culture. While these issues appear ubiquitous, they can become institutionalised and work on the assumption that battles have already been won. We seek to establish an open discussion about gender and sexuality within performance. With an interdisciplinary focus in mind, we invite scholars, students, artists and practitioners to present and discuss work in, but not limited to, the following areas: Media; Film; Theatre; Performance; Literature; Music; Animation; Cultural Studies. Lead by Jeanette D'Arcy and Dr Sarah Crews.

  • Performance and the Maternal: Dr Emily Underwood-Lee (USW), 29 November 2017
  • Blue/Glas screening: Heledd Hardy (USW), 13 December 2017
  • Gender, Performance and Boxing: Dr Sarah Crews (USW), 7 February 2018
  • Performance and Gender Seminar Series: Ayla Holdom, 21 March 2018
  • Manifesto, Kay Dennis & The Woman in Black: A Feminist Failure?, Jeanette D’Arcy, 17 October 2018
  • Performing Wellness and Beauty on Social Media, Dr. Jennifer Whitney, 21 November 2018







If you would like to participate in our seminar series, either as a speaker or audience member, please contact: [email protected].