Research and Practice in the Department of Theatre

University College Cork has one of the leading departments of Theatre in Ireland with a growing national and international reputation for the excellence of its research.

A broad range of expertise and experience in creative performative practice, connections and links to the theatre industry and the wider cultural sector, a strong commitment to on-going training and professional development, coupled with a comprehensive range of research outputs – including on pedagogy – amongst the existing body of staff in the Department of Theatre allows for the fostering of an environment whereby teaching, practice and research are all interlinked.

In recent years we have seen a sharp increase in recruitment in our Postgraduate Programmes, and several of our PhD students are engaged in practice-based research projects. Further details regarding the research interests of current PhD students can be accessed here.   

Staff draw on a broad range of areas of practice-based expertise, including:

• Casting
• Dramaturgy
• Directing
• Psychophysical actor training
• Applied theatre
• Drama and theatre in education
• Theatre and activism
• Creative writing
• Radio documentary
• Experimental transdisciplinary performance practices in site-specific installation and performance
• Broadcasting
• Gallery settings
• Dance
• Voice and movement
• Body/mind centering to offer supervision at postgraduate level.

We offer a range of research degrees, including Masters by Research, MPhil, and various PhD options - there are more details on our Postgraduate page here.