Social Art(s) Practice Research Seminar

A Two-Day Research Exchange

Dates: September 8-9, 2025
Location: Guildhall School of Music & Drama, London

Overview

This intensive two-day seminar brings together socially engaged practice-researchers from diverse arts disciplines, including music, theatre, performance, music theatre, opera, dance, visual arts, curating, circus, storytelling and design. The event creates a unique space for researchers working across different participatory, social, and community contexts to share experiences and methodologies.

We welcomed applications from socially engaged arts practice-researchers – defined as researchers who explore questions and topics through collaborative, socially engaged, and participatory practices. The seminar is open to: PhD students and graduates, independent researchers, early career researchers, as well as experienced researchers.

23 participants were selected for this seminar:

AMREIN Emilie (US) – University of Texas at San Antonio

BALLIN Ben (UK) – Big Brum Theatre in Education Company

BEINART Katy (UK) – University of Brighton/Open University

BOWMAN Jason Edward (SE) – Crafts and Fine Art Unit, HDK-Valand Academy, University of Gothenburg

CAI Shuangshuang (UK) – The University of Warwick

ČORIĆ Ana (Croatia) – Academy of Music, University of Zagreb

CUNNINGHAM Malaika (UK) – Brunel University / The Bare Project

DAVIDSON Kevin (UK) – Goldsmiths College, University of London; Climate Museum –      

FERRICK-SQUIBB Pauline (UK) – Arts University Bournemouth –pferricksquibb@aub.ac.uk

FORT Elizabeth (Lizzie) (UK) – Trinity Laban Conservatoire / Roehampton University / Hear Me Out

GARBETT Helen (UK) – University of the Highlands and Islands (UHI), Centre for Island Creativity, Shetland

JEFFERS Alison (UK) – School of Arts Languages and Cultures, University of Manchester –

JIYUN SUNG Karen (UK) – Loughborough University

LAHHAM Fatima (UK) – Nordoff and Robbins / Guildhall School of Music and Drama –

LLOYD Lizzie (UK) – University of the West of England

MARKOWITZ Ariana (UK) – (University College London)

MATUSZ Marianne (UK) – University of Leeds, School of Performance and Cultural Industries

MCLENNAN Olivia (UK) – Guildhall School of Music & Drama

RUOCCO Assunta (UK) – University of Lincoln, College of Arts, Social Sciences and Humanities, Lincoln School of Creative Arts

SÆVARSDÓTTIR-GRIFFITHS Sigrún (UK) – (Guildhall School of Music / MetamorPhonics

STEPHENS Catherine (UK) – (Newcastle University – catherine.stephens@yorksj.ac.uk)

SELDERSLAGHS Bob (BE) – Royal Conservatoire, AP University of Applied Sciences and Arts Antwerp

SHERCLIFF Emma (UK) – Arts University Bournemouth

Organisers

The seminar is jointly organised by:

  • The international scholarly network SIMM (Social Impact of Music-Making), based in Brussels, Belgium
  • The Academic Chair Jonet on Social Action & Music-Making, Ghent University and University of Applied Sciences and Arts Ghent, Belgium
  • The Guildhall De-Centre for Socially Engaged Practice and Research, Guildhall School of Music & Drama, London

This marks SIMM’s 11th seminar since 2015. While previous events focused primarily on music, this seminar expands to encompass multiple art forms, fostering cross-disciplinary learning and exchange.

The facilitators of the seminar are Prof. Dr. An De bisschop (Chair Jonet, Ghent University, BE) and Dr. Sophie Hope (Guildhall School). They are assisted by: Dr Brigitte Herremans (Human Rights Centre, Ghent University, BE),  Dr. Anthony Schrag (Queen Margaret University Edinburgh), Prof. Becky Shaw (Birmingham City University), Prof. Sean Gregory (Guildhall School), and Prof. Dr. Lukas Pairon (SIMM & Chair Jonet). As facilitators they will during this research seminar help the participants in sharing their experiences, ideas, and research methodologies.

The scientific committee for this seminar was composed of: