Rose Bruford College has appointed Dr Brian Lobel as Professor of Theatre and Performance to continue the development and reputation of the College’s research profile and culture.

Dr Lobel, a performer, curator, and researcher came to prominence as a performance artist in 2003 with his monologue piece BALL, which reflected on a cancer diagnosis in his twenties. Since then he has performed across the globe, including at The National Theatre, Sydney Opera House and Harvard Medical School, exploring the intersections of health, illness, disability and medical research.

His PhD research at Queen Mary University of London – Playing the Cancer Card: Illness, Performance and Spectatorship – formalised these concerns and looked at how theatre can shift the dynamic between cancer patients and society at large.

His role at the College will focus on developing research objectives, projects and proposals as well as producing outputs and evaluating and supporting colleagues’ research work.

College Principal, Clarie Middleton believes Dr Lobel’s appointment is important to help achieve the College’s strategic aim of developing the next generation of theatre and performance change makers. She said,

'Brian combines the skills of an experienced academic with those of a prolific artist; and he is hugely committed to making a difference for both students and colleagues. We welcome the wide experience and skill-set that he will bring to the College on so many levels, especially around performance-based research, the mentoring of early career researchers, and a pedagogical practice firmly rooted in access and inclusion.'

Commenting on his appointment, Dr Lobel said,

“I am honoured to join the Rose Bruford College community as Professor of Theatre & Performance. For decades, the College has been a juggernaut in the world of artist training and innovative pedagogy. Their unwavering dedication to diversity, access and inclusion makes me think we are a perfect fit.”

Dr Lobel will start his role in early 2020 and he is also helping to develop the College’s BA (Hons) Theatre and Social Change degree, starting in September 2020 (subject to validation).

 

Photo credit: The Wellcome Foundation