Institute of Dance, Drama and Performance Studies

The Dance, Drama and Performance Studies Research Institute (DDPS): Embodiment, Inclusivity, Diversity aims to produce innovative research, both scholarly and practice-based, on performance. It embraces diversity and connects academics working across historical and contemporary contexts of dance and dance improvisation, performance of identity, live art, performance research, theatre history, intermedial and digital performance, applied drama, interdisciplinary performance, performer training and popular performance. The DDPS's core emphasis on research excellence is supported by its international collaborations, strong connections with industry and dynamic explorations across areas engaging with Process, Politics, Philosophy. All of this fuels our vibrant PhD community and annual interdisciplinary conference, Borderlines.

Latest news

  • 03 February 2022

    New book on Contemporary Theatre Education and Creative Learning

    Mark Crossley’s new book considers the state of contemporary theatre education in Great Britain, exploring how theatre education in the country has arrived at its current state and why it is often marginalised in national discourse.

  • 03 February 2022

    International Keynote Lecture

    'Funmi Adewole was invited by the UF Center for African Studies (University of Florida, Gainesville) to present the fall Carter lecture (1 October 2021). The keynote ‘Contemporary dance as African cultural production’ gave ‘Funmi the opportunity to share her thinking on developments in Contemporary dance in Africa since the 2000s.

  • 03 February 2022

    ERASMUS+ Funding success for CREATIVITY project (Co-Is: Ainsworth, Bakewell, Peacock)

    Working with pupils, educators, HEIs and a range of industry professionals, this UK-EU project will analyse the skills training of students and the predicted future needs of the creative sector to inform the creation of digitally interactive education sessions and teaching materials, drawing on performing and visual arts methods.

  • 03 February 2022

    National and International Performance Tour (2021-22)

    Zoo Indigo’s new show, Don’t Leave Me This Way, grieves the loss of identity, home and the Eurovision song contest, in a playful and provocative exploration of cultural belonging, as Rosie Garton and collaborator Ildiko Rippel search for their Irish, German, Hungarian and Czech roots in a Brexit-ridden Britain.

    REF 2021

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