Performing the Contemporary [2025]

University of Derby is hosting a two-day event that explores theatre and dance across contemporary societal and cultural themes such as identity, trans/gender issues, race and civic engagement. The programme is being supported by the Media and Communications, Cultural Studies Association, MeCCSA, as part of the Practice Network’s ambition to broaden the definition of creative practice in academia and research. Day one of the programme will be 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. Students will share their research reflecting projects delivered in the community exploring the above themes. Research will address how new knowledge created through practice as research contributes to the empowerment of communities, organisational cultural change, and performance pedagogy. Day two of the event will be a formal academic 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. Themes include: • Arts in the community • Diversity and performance • REF IMPACT case studies and research • Sustainability in and through and performance • Immersive technologies and performance capture • The social, political and cultural dimensions of the arts • Arts as entertainment, arts as resistance, arts as dissent The Venue At the University of Derby, we have created a unique venue via Derby Theatre, The UK’s only Learning Theatre. Derby Theatre is used to facilitate research and create strong relationships between practitioners, students, schools, young people and academics. Annual events include the Departure Lounge, a ground-breaking festival in the heart of the country in which the Theatre is illuminated by extraordinary performances, workshops, installations and discussion.  The symposium is a unique event at Derby Theatre where UG, PGT, PGR, professional artists and prospective students attend. This will be the sixth year that the symposium has run as a live event and streamed live to an international audience. The technical aspects of the event are facilitated by University of Derby students from Theatre programmes and the BSc(Hons) Sound, Light and Live Event, demonstrating our commitment to collaboration across the University.