Research events

Cognitive Futures in the Humanities Conference (1-4th July 2018) in association with the Centre for Cognition, Kinaesthetics and Performance.
Building on the conferences associated with the network Cognitive Futures in the Humanities in Bangor (2013), Durham (2014) and Oxford (2015), Helsinki (2016) and Stony Brook (2017) the 2018 conference aims once again to bring together a wide array of papers from the cognitive sciences, philosophy, literary studies, linguistics, cultural studies, critical theory, film, performance, theatre and dance studies, the visual and sonic arts, musicology and beyond.

Michael Chekhov Technique in the Twenty First Century: New Pathways
Roanna Mitchell is currently co-investigator on the multi-institutional project Michael Chekhov Technique in the Twenty First Century: New Pathways. This project explores how Chekhov’s technique can be used in a 21st Century context, beyond its commonly known use in the interpretation of dramatic literature. The research practice draws on the rich archival materials describing the work of the Chekhov Theatre Studio at Dartingon Hall, and is being undertaken in six strands:
·      Devised Theatre and Catalyst Direction
·      Collaborative Writing
·      Theatre Design
·      Voice and Singing
·      Movement Training and Dance
·      Community Contexts, Drama Therapy, Psychotherapy and Health Contexts
Within this project, Roanna’s research and practice focus on current applications of Chekhov technique in movement training and dance. She is exploring the influence of 20th century dance practitioners on Chekhov’s own work, and identifies reasons why his psychophysical approach may be able to solve the current gap in training performers for work that exists in the crossover between dance and theatre.
Roanna’s chapter on the subject will be published in the forthcoming publication Michael Chekhov Technique in the Twenty First Century: New Pathways (Bloomsbury Methuen Drama 2018), edited by Dr Cass Fleming and Dr Tom Cornford.

The New Pathways project has already had significant impact on the practice of theatre- and community/health practitioners across the UK, as will be outlined in a forthcoming report on the work undertaken. The project is generously supported by Goldsmiths, CKP at the University of Kent, The Royal Central School of Speech and Drama, Queen Mary University, and Michael Chekhov UK.

CKP Reading Group (ongoing) A lively group where academics engage with autistic people both through their writings and in person: this reading group is open to everyone but you must commit to attend regularly. For information please contact s.may@kent.ac.uk

Applying Shakespeare (9th March 2018) The Shakespeare Institute, University of Birmingham in conjunction with Centre for Cognition, Kinesthetics and Performance, University of Kent and the Guildford School of Acting, University of Surrey
This one-day symposium considers how Shakespeare is used within applied theatre contexts. papers and contributions are invited on Shakespeare’s relation to, for example: learning difficulties; diversity; disability arts; mental health; performance in custodial settings; therapeutic interventions; accessibility; social inclusion; pedagogy; relaxed performances; activism.

Please send 250-word proposals to Rowan Mackenzie, by 18 December 2017. As well as 20-minute papers, we welcome contributions in a variety of formats, for example workshops, performance demonstrations, and posters. Please indicate clearly in your email the name of presenter(s), institutional affiliation(s) and email address(es). Proposers can expect to hear if their abstract has been accepted by 9 January 2018, and registration will open soon afterward. Any enquiries can be directed to Robert Shaughnessy

CKP Network participation
Autism Ethics Network (Belgium) funded by Scientific Research Foundation, Flanders
Dementia Arts and Well-Being (UK) funded by the Arts and Humanities Research Council