The appointment follows a comprehensive search and recruitment process.
Stuart Page, Dean of Rose Bruford College said, “We are delighted to welcome Dr Joe Parslow to Rose Bruford College as our new Head of Research & Postgraduate Provision. An active researcher, writer and producer within the areas of queer performance studies, queer performance practices and applied theatre, their appointment is an exciting step forward for Rose Bruford. Joe will take on a key role in our strategic plans for growth and enhancement in taught provision and research, aligning with our values as a progressive and inclusive institution. I’m very much looking forward to working with Joe and collaborating on exciting initiatives.”
Dr. Joe Parslow said, “I am so excited to be joining Rose Bruford College at such a pivotal moment. At a time of complexity for Higher Education, I was inspired by the vibrancy of the teaching and research that is happening in the College and the vision of the strategic plan. This work is exciting and vital, and I want to build on this momentum to ensure that Rose Bruford College’s excellence is recognised and celebrated as an innovative and rigorous teaching and research institution. Places like Rose Bruford College are uniquely placed to engage in challenge-led and diverse research and teaching, and I am excited to work with the amazing faculty to think about (and bring about!) the futures of theatre and performance teaching and research.”
Joe joins Rose Bruford College from The Royal Central School of Speech and Drama, University of London where they were a lecturer in Popular and Queer Performance, and most recently co-ran the BA Drama, Applied Theatre and Education undergraduate programme alongside Dr. Marilena Zaroulia. They are queer researcher, writer, teacher and producer, as well as working in research ethics and integrity and practice research. They have worked extensively in queer nightlife as a producer of drag and cabaret events in LGBTQ+ spaces in London.
Joe’s first book, Their Majesty: Drag performance and Queer Communities in London, was released in August 2024. The book explores drag performance in London since 2009 via the pubs, bars and clubs that make LGBTQ+ communities thrive. It studies the complex relationship between drag performance, LGBTQ+ venues and queer communities.
Joe’s current research includes a project involving Artificial Intelligence and drag performance as part of The Zizi Project in collaboration with Me The Drag Queen and AI artist Jake Elwes , which spans museums, performance work and art galleries, and a second book in development exploring contemporary queer hopes.
