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>The <a href="https://ahc.leeds.ac.uk/performance-research-innovation/doc/centre-cultural-policy-1">Centre for Cultural Policy</a> is also based in our School. </p> <p>We are also home to the <a href="https://www.culturalvalue.org.uk/">Centre for Cultural Value</a>, a national research centre based at the University of Leeds. </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>As an international research-intensive university, we welcome students from all walks of life and from across the world. We foster an inclusive environment where all can flourish and prosper, and we are proud of our strong commitment to student education. Across all Faculties we are dedicated to diversifying our community and we welcome the unique contributions that individuals can bring, and particularly encourage applications from, but not limited to Black, Asian, people who belong to a minority ethnic community, people who identify as LGBT+ and people with disabilities. Applicants will always be selected based on merit and ability.</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 project opportunities</h2>
<h2 class="heading heading--sm">Linked funding opportunities</h2>