Studying for a research degree in the School of Performance and Cultural Industries will allow you to become an expert in a specialist area and gain high-quality research training, which will equip you to undertake further research projects in addition to pursuing specialist career paths.
<p>We have a strong interdisciplinary ethos as we actively collaborate, to enhance our teaching and research, with other schools in the University, as well as with universities and industry around the world.</p> <p>As a postgraduate researcher in the School you'll be a key member of our academic research community. You'll experience a supportive, stimulating and challenging research environment which will enable you to pursue your interests and achieve your potential.</p> <p>You’ll have access to numerous funding, training, and development opportunities that’ll both support your studies and prepare you for life after graduation.</p> <p>You’ll also benefit from our partnerships with organisations such as Leeds Playhouse, Opera North, and Ilkley Literature Festival, as well as our links with universities around the world.</p> <p>Our specialist facilities are designed to support a wide range of research in the arts and cultural sector, and specifically in areas of theatre and performance. The School is based in the stage@leeds building which comprises two public theatre spaces of 180 and 50 seats, which you'll have access to during your time studying with us.</p> <p>Leeds University Library is one of the UK’s major academic research libraries, and has extensive holdings to support your studies including <a href="http://library.leeds.ac.uk/info/1500/special_collections">Special Collections</a> offering a huge range of rare books, manuscripts and art.</p> <h2>Areas of supervision</h2> <p>We offer expert supervision in a wide range of specialisms, and also participate in joint supervision with other subject areas to support interdisciplinary research.</p> <p>You can <a href="http://ahc.leeds.ac.uk/performance-research-innovation">explore our research</a> and <a href="http://ahc.leeds.ac.uk/stafflist?searchFilter=allfields&query=&isSupervisor=true&staffTypes%5B%5D=all&staffTypes%5B%5D=academic&staffTypes%5B%5D=professional&staffTypes%5B%5D=visiting&staffTypes%5B%5D=honorary&categoryIDs%5B%5D=96">view our staff list</a> to see the breadth of expertise available. We have particular strengths in:</p> <ul> <li> <p>Applied performance, including; intervention, social engagement, health and wellbeing, education and activism</p> </li> <li> <p>Compositional practices including; devised performance and physical theatre, food and performance, new writing and adaptation, ethics, improvisation and co-creation</p> </li> <li> <p>Creative entrepreneurship, arts marketing, management and leadership</p> </li> <li> <p>Cultural and creative industries</p> </li> <li> <p>Cultural policy and development</p> </li> <li> <p>Digital technologies, performance and the body</p> </li> <li> <p>Engagement and participation in theatre and the arts</p> </li> <li> <p>Immersive, environmental and site-specific performance</p> </li> <li> <p>Improvisation, free play, creativity and aesthetic development</p> </li> <li> <p>Impact and value of the arts</p> </li> <li> <p>Interactive and participatory performance</p> </li> <li> <p>Intercultural performance practices</p> </li> <li> <p>Scenography, costume and lighting design</p> </li> <li> <p>Contemporary opera and music theatre</p> </li> <li> <p>Performer training methodologies and their transmission across cultural borders</p> </li> <li> <p>Phenomenology and embodied spectatorship</p> </li> <li> <p>Politics of Performance</p> </li> <li> <p>Popular culture, including; burlesque, cabaret, club culture, punk and post-punk performance</p> </li> </ul> <h2>Research degrees</h2> <p>We offer three research degree paths for postgraduate students:</p> <ul> <li><a href="http://ahc.leeds.ac.uk/performance-research-degrees/doc/doctor-philosophy-phd-6">Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)</a></li> <li> <p><a href="http://ahc.leeds.ac.uk/performance-research-degrees/doc/master-philosophy-mphil-2">Master of Philosophy (MPhil)</a></p> </li> <li> <p><a href="http://ahc.leeds.ac.uk/performance-research-degrees/doc/ma-research-mar-1">Masters by Research (MAR)</a></p> </li> </ul> <h2>Research groups</h2> <p>Our research groups cover core areas of research strength in the School:</p> <ul> <li> <p><a href="http://ahc.leeds.ac.uk/performance-research-innovation/doc/audience-experience-engagement-research-group">Audience Experience and Engagement</a></p> </li> <li> <p><a href="http://ahc.leeds.ac.uk/performance-research-innovation/doc/bodies-performance-research-group">Bodies and Performance</a></p> </li> <li> <p><a href="http://ahc.leeds.ac.uk/performance-research-innovation/doc/place-performance-1">Place and Performance</a></p> </li> <li> <p><a href="http://ahc.leeds.ac.uk/performance-research-innovation/doc/participation-research-group">Participation</a></p> </li> <li> <p><a href="http://ahc.leeds.ac.uk/performance-research-innovation/doc/performance-training-preparation-pedagodgy">Performance Training, Preparation and Pedagogy</a></p> </li> </ul> <p>We are also home to the launched <a href="http://ahc.leeds.ac.uk/performance-research-innovation/doc/centre-cultural-policy-1">Centre for Cultural Policy</a>.</p> <h2>Practice-led research</h2> <p>We offer expert supervision in performance-based theatre studies for students who wish to pursue their chosen area of postgraduate research through practice.</p> <h2>PhD by Distance Learning</h2> <p>It is possible to study for a PhD by Distance Learning,for further information contact <a href="mailto:m.spencer@leeds.ac.uk?subject=PhD%20by%20Distance%20Learning">Dr Mic Spencer</a>, Head of the Graduate School.</p> <p>The School of Performance and Cultural Industries offers PhD by Distance Learning, for further information please contact Dr Mic Spencer, Head of the Graduate School: <a>m.spencer@leeds.ac.uk</a></p>
<p>Formal applications for research degree study should be made <a href="http://www.leeds.ac.uk/info/130206/applying/91/applying_for_research_degrees">online</a>. Please state clearly the research area you are interested in.</p> <p>Faculty of Arts, Humanities and Cultures<br /> The minimum English language requirements for Schools in the Faculty of Arts, Humanities and Cultures is an IELTS of 6.5 overall with at least 6.0 in each component.</p> <p><em>We welcome applications from all suitably-qualified candidates, but UK black and minority ethnic (BME) researchers are currently under-represented in our Postgraduate Research community, and we would therefore particularly encourage applications from UK BME candidates. All scholarships will be awarded on the basis of merit.</em></p>
<p>For further information please contact the School of Performance and Cultural Industries.<br /> e: <a href="mailto:pcipgr@leeds.ac.uk">pcipgr@leeds.ac.uk</a></p>
<h2 class="heading heading--sm">Linked funding opportunities</h2>