In all of these clusters we probe the relationship between cultures, societies and politics, seeking to understand the present through critical engagement with the past.

The impact of our research is felt nationally and internationally in academia and beyond, generating new kinds of theatre practice, enriching public debate, and enabling high-level engagement to groups otherwise marginalised by mainstream theatre.

We work in collaboration with professional theatre companies and performance-makers, with community ‘user’ groups outside theatre, and with theatre audiences and members of the public in various contexts, settings and spaces.

Our size and ambition allows us to develop our research across a range of cultures and histories of performance as evidenced in a lively and extensive array of collaborations, workshops, conferences, performances, journals, papers and appearances in the print and broadcast media.

We seek to ensure the sustainability of our research through the following objectives:

• To develop world-leading research that builds on key strengths and pioneers innovative fields, enhancing subject-specific and also interdisciplinary strands within the context of the School of Performing and Digital Arts.
• To continue to lead debates about social justice, race, diversity, inclusion and access in our disciplines and research areas.
• To maintain the international scope and reach of our work, enhancing European partnerships post-Brexit, and using our expertise in the Global South to enhance transnational perspectives.
• To explore how the arts and cultural practices address current global challenges such as the climate emergency, population displacement (including asylum seekers and refugees), and post-conflict justice.
• To enhance collaborations and build new partnerships in order to co-produce knowledge with institutions outside the academy, to boost impact, and to enhance opportunities for research funding and Postgraduate Research student recruitment.