Postgraduate research students

Artistic methods have been valued as a form of engagement since the acceptance of engagement as a part of the policymaking process in the 1960s, and large amounts of money, time and energy are spent on engaging with policy processes through artistic methods by organisations and publics. These engagement methods have been celebrated for widening participation, however, there has been little inquiry into what is communicated through these methods, how this communication supports the engagement process, and why these methods are used over more traditional, non-artistic forms, such as policy documents, CSO reports and press releases.

My research aims to investigate this underexplored aspect to artistic engagement. It aims to situate the role of theatrical and performance-based engagement tools within engagement more broadly. From this, it is hoped that an understanding can be gained of what makes theatre and performance unique. It will aim to uncover what value theatre and performance add to engagement, while simultaneously highlighting any shortcomings theatre may possess. Alongside increasing the academic understanding of theatrical engagement tools, it is hoped this work can inform activists and artivists, and help policymakers increase the effectiveness of their engagement.

• Professor Sotiria Grek
• Professor Ellen Stewart

My PhD research is being funded by the 'Art and Policy in the Global Contemporary: Examining the Role of the Arts in the Production of Public Policy' (POLART) research project.

Sheffield Postgraduate Scholarship 2024