The Dance, Drama and Performance Studies Research Network (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.
Researchers in the institute have expertise in the following fields:
- Live Art and contemporary performance
- Performer training and performance process
- Intermedial performance
- Interdisciplinary performance
- Immersive, interactive and participatory performance
- Activist performance
- Gender, sexuality and performance (in live performance and on screen)
- Documentation and performance
- Adaptation
- Contemporary text-based drama
- Space, place and performance on stage and screen
- Site-specific performance
- Directing / producing for radio or stage
- Writing for performance
- Popular performance, clowning and comedy
- Applied drama and storytelling, community performance
- Restoration theatre and Shakespeare in performance
- Contemporary dance, performance and improvisational practices
- Dance of the African diaspora
- Performance philosophy
- Early 20th century dance history
- Contemporary performance pedagogy