James Layton

Accepting PhD Students

PhD projects

Durational performance; Live Art; immersive and participatory performance; applied performance; arts and health, digital and creative pedagogies.

Willing to speak to media

  • 31
    Citations
20132023

Research activity per year

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Personal profile

Overview

I am a Lecturer and Researcher in Drama, Theatre and Performance. 

Current research activities

My current research interests are in four strands: 

  1. Durational performance. I am interested in the relationship between performance duration exceeding 'smooth consumption' and the possibility of transformation for the spectator; in particular, why contemporary audiences might be drawn to durationally challenging performance. In relation to this, I have written a monograph (published by Intellect Books / UCP in 2022) titled Bergson and Durational Performance: (Re)Ma(r)king Time.  
  2. Digital skills training in performing arts education. I am currently collaborating with Dr Aleksandra Webb on a project exploring digital skills in performing arts higher education. Building on recently published work, this research aims to assess the current digital opportunities and challenges related to digital production of theatrical performance in the new post-pandemic reality. 
  3. Arts and Health. Current work in this area is concerned with developing digital resources for schools that can be used as an early intervention suicide prevention programme. This builds on an earlier research project, Read Between the Lines. I am also developing a participatory performance project alongside people living with dementia. 
  4. Applied drama. As part of an ongoing relationship with various educational partners in Romania, I am developing a network of UK / Romania drama teachers with the aim of sharing best practice in drama pedagogy. The key aims of the project are:

(a) To share good practice in drama teaching for the benefit the UK and Romanian school curricula; 

(b) To develop and sustain a forum for promoting the importance of drama and theatre in school curricula; 

(c) To develop and strengthen intercultural links between the UK and Romania. 

Area of academic expertise - outline

Durational performance; Live Art; digital skills in performing arts higher education; autoethnography; creative pedagogies. 

Expertise related to UN Sustainable Development Goals

In 2015, UN member states agreed to 17 global Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) to end poverty, protect the planet and ensure prosperity for all. This person’s work contributes towards the following SDG(s):

  • SDG 3 - Good Health and Well-being
  • SDG 4 - Quality Education
  • SDG 11 - Sustainable Cities and Communities

External positions

External Examiner FdA / BA (Hons) Drama & Performance , Bristol Institute of Performing Arts (University of Gloucestershire)

20182022

External Examiner FdA / BA (Hons) Musical Theatre, Bristol Institute of Performing Arts (University of Gloucestershire)

20182022

External Examiner FdA / BA (Hons) Theatre & Performance , University Campus Oldham (UCLan)

20172023

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