Theatre, performing arts and music research

Home to a diverse group of collaborative researchers and an energetic and creative community of doctoral students

A dynamic and ‘Internationally Excellent’ research environment producing ‘World Leading’ Impact (100% 4&3* REF 2021) and with expertise in computer music and composition, actor and performer training, applied theatre, creative computing and emergent technologies, immersive play and production. We are interested transformative research that redefines fields and changes lives for the better.

Home to a diverse group of collaborative researchers and an energetic and creative community of doctoral students, this group conducts research together with major partners including Theatre Royal Plymouth and Spotify as well as national organisations and charities such as St Luke’s Hospice and The Alzheimer’s Society and receives project-funded from councils including the Arts and Humanities Research Council and the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council.

Research Highlights

Dr John Matthews discusses his research in performance training and Dr Núria Bonet talks about her research in Catalan instruments

Dr Alex Cahill talks to us about her research into compassion studies and strength and resilience training. Dr Jamie Harper excites us about his research involving immersive theatre and performance.

Ruth Way engages us in her research for somatic dance and practise. Professor Eduardo Miranda shows us his advances in computer music research, for instance, enabling severely disabled people to create music using their brain signals.

Our researchers

Digital Research Repository

The School of Society and Culture (SSC) is home to a diverse collection of researchers working in the social sciences, humanities and performing arts. We’re dedicated to advancing knowledge for public benefit, driving meaningful change in our society and enriching communities (be they near us or an ocean away). Visit our our digital repository of staff research to watch short videos from academics working across the School’s disciplines: Anthropology, Art History, Computer Music, Creative Writing, Criminology, English, Environmental Cultures, Heritage, History, International Relations, Law, Music, Politics, Sociology, Theatre and Performance.