[Commlist] Performing the Contemporary, Conference CfP

Call for Papers - Performing the Contemporary, 12-13th November, 2025, 
University of Derby

University of Derby is planning 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 may include (but are not limited to):
•	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.

Submission Guidelines
Delegates are invited to respond to this Call for Papers by noon, Monday 
08th September 2025. Please provide a Bio of 250 words, your 
institution, contact details, title, plus an abstract of 250 words to 
the organising committee:

(B.harbisher /at/ derby.ac.uk); (a.hunt /at/ derby.ac.uk); (x.penna /at/ derby.ac.uk); 
(p.green /at/ derby.ac.uk)

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