Coming soon….

PGT symposium 

12th November 2025

Day one of the programme is comprised of a PGT symposium in which students and early career researchers present their work, fostering research, promoting the interests of our emerging academic community and encouraging greater diversity within the field.

Time SlotRoomSpeaker and Abstract
10:00amUpper BarCoffee and Welcome
10:30amKeynoteFats Begum

Conference

13th November 2025 is the conference,  comprised of conventional papers, performances and recitals from leading academics in this field, again to explore contemporary societal and cultural themes such as identity, trans/gender issues, race and civic engagement.

Time SlotRoomSpeaker and Session Title
10:00amUpper BarCoffee and Welcome
10:30am Panel OneMain Studio – Performing the Collaborative

Chair Dr Ben Harbisher
10:30-10:50: Dr Xristina Penna (University of Derby) 
Scenographic contraptions: Practice-research methodologies of endurance and duration in a groundless contemporary performance landscape  
10:50am Panel OneMain Studio – Performing the Collaborative

Chair Dr Ben Harbisher
10:50-11:10: Dr Paula McCloskey (University of Derby) Performing Fiction-Ecologies as Co-Inquiries 
11:10am Panel OneMain Studio – Performing the Collaborative

Chair Dr Ben Harbisher
11:10-11:25: Q&A  
11:30am Panel TwoMain Studio – Performing Pedagogy

Chair Dr Ava hunt
11:30-11:50: Dr Dorothy Morrissey and Dr Fiona McDonagh (Mary Immaculate College (MIC), Limerick) The third space potential of an inter-faculty collaboration involving theatre students and student teachers 
11:50am Panel Two Main Studio – Performing Pedagogy

Chair Dr Ava hunt
11:50-12:10: Mr. Anand Krishnamurthi (PhD candidate St. Teresa’s College (Autonomous), Ernakulam, Kerala, India) Performing the Self: Exploring Identity through Digital and Immersive Theatre in the Classroom
12:10am Panel twoMain Studio – Performing Pedagogy

Chair Dr Ava hunt
12:10-12:25: Q&A  
12:25pm12:25-13:30: lunch break Upper Foyer/Community Hub 
13:30pm Panel ThreeMain Studio – Performing Identity

Chair Dr Xristina Penna
13:30-13:50: Dr Peter Maber (Northeastern University London) A new life, a new world”: The Transformations of Migrant and Refugee Theatre-Making in the UK  
13:50pm Panel ThreeMain Studio – Performing Identity

Chair Dr Xristina Penna
13:50-14:10: Dr Rebecca Ora (rora) (University of Birmingham) Still Waiting: Memory, Surrogation and Racial Culpability in Edgar Arceneaux’s Until Until Until..  
14:10pm Panel ThreeMain Studio – Performing Identity

Chair Dr Xristina Penna
14:10-14:25: Q&A  
14:30pm Panel FourMain Studio – Performing Care

Chair Dr Paula McCloskey
14:30-14:50: Dr Richard Dawson (University of Derby) The Impact and Challenges of working through the Arts with looked after children and young people.  
14:50pm Panel FourMain Studio – Performing Care

Chair Dr Paula McCloskey
14:50-15:10: Alice Marshall (University of Derby), Tender Steps: Exploring Grief, Community, and Contemporary Performance 
15:10pm Panel FourMain Studio – Performing Care

Chair Dr Paula McCloskey
 15:10-15:25: Q&A 
15:25pm Closing Remarks15:25-15:35: Dr Ben Harbisher