Theatre and drama can be entertainment, but they can also unstick difficult social problems by promoting empathy, encouraging us to see life from different perspectives and nurturing links between people. The latest Louder Than Words looks at how theatre can bring insights, bring people together and unlocks issues.
Theatre writers and creators Professor Liz Kuti and Annecy Lax, from the Department of Literature, Film, and Theatre talk to Professor Jules Pretty.
They suggest that telling stories, expressing ideas through performance and watching performances in the theatre, online and on television is in many ways as natural as breathing and an essential part of being human. At the same time theatre and drama offers space to transform people.
Annecy says: “The kind of theatre I work in can have a really transformational effect on people. I’ve been in the room where that has happened and been involved in projects where theatre has had a huge benefit on people’s lives.”
The time for action is now. In our very first episode Professor Jules Pretty and journalist Martha Dixon, talk to some of the world’s leading climate experts about their work to fight climate change and to those who use this research to influence policy and engage the public. Andri Snaer Magnason (1:35) is a writer and poet and climate change is his passion. He uses his writing to get climate change on the agenda and storytelling to make sense out of complex climate data. Dr Michelle Taylor (6:12) and Professor Graham Underwood (8:33) from the University of Essex discuss how their research contributes to policies that aim to reduce climate change. At an international policy level Tanya Steele (11:27), CEO of the UK’s World Wide Fund for Nature’s (WWF), emphasises the importance of science in making decisions and generating new ideas. Environmentalist and company director Simon Lyster (15:12) brings another dimension – the role that business plays in the drive towards a healthy natural environment. Finally we talk to young activist Hattie (20:54) who as a WWF Youth Ambassador is passionate about the natural environment and preserving it for future generations. Full show notes including transcription available at: https://www.essex.ac.uk/blog/posts/2021/04/28/the-louder-than-words-podcast-climate-change Feedback welcome at: [email protected] ...
Hidden histories and lost voices are now being heard. The latest episode of Louder Than Words looks at Black History through lenses of plays and literature. Contributors to this episode are: Dr Jak Peake, Department of Literature, Film, and Theatre Professor Jeremy Krikler, Department of History Dr Holly Maples, East 15 Acting School Further reading Read blog about on Theatre, Literature and Education by Dr Jak Peake Read blog on creating theatre about Black History by Professor Jeremy Krikler and Dr holly Maples ...
The latest episode of the Louder Than Words Podcast looks at the impact of brain injury. How do we find out more about the problems survivors face? What needs to change in the way we support them to live their lives? In the UK 700,000 people end up at A&E every year with a head injury, according to NHS figures and around a million people are now living with some sort of brain injury. Survivors include injured sportspeople, or road accident victims. There are also survivors who've been through things like severe infections or strokes. Novel research at the University of Essex is leading to a big shift in policy to help survivors, while also developing technological solutions to help with everyday tasks. They will be speaking to: Dr Andrew Bateman (4:29) from the School of Health and Social Care at Essex is project lead for COURAGE Network which brings together people affected by and living with, neurological conditions, with the research community. The innovative project is initially funded by UK Research and Innovation (UKRI). Caroline Bald (8:01), from the School of Health and Social Care at Essex, is looking to improve training in the UK so social workers see that understanding brain injury is an integral part of their work. Chloe Hayward (11:33), Executive Director of the UK Acquired Brain Injury Forum. The Forum aims to promote a better understanding of all aspects of acquired brain injury. Dr Anirban Chowdhury (15:16), Lecturer in Neural Engineering and Robotics at Essex, is developing a brain-computer interface to control an exoskeleton to support movement, just through the power of thought. Stella Kerins (18:29), Head of Brain Injury Care Services at Headway Essex. the charity supports people with acquired brain ...
