Applied Theatre Research (Journal)

Socially Engaged Performance

ISSN 20493010 , ONLINE ISSN 20493029

ATR: Socially Engaged Performance is a peer-reviewed journal featuring leading insights from practitioners and scholars navigating power, pedagogy and complex contemporary contexts. The journal aims to interrogate theatre that grapples with topics including, but not limited to, incarceration, political debates, social action and dissent, health, globalization and decolonization, development, education, neo-capitalism and climate issues. Equally vital are contributions that capture joyful, beautiful and hopeful artistic encounters.  

The editors invite practitioner accounts, scholarly articles and hybrid visions for new and radical futures from established and emerging practitioners and scholars moving the centre.

 

Applied Theatre Researcher Back Issues (2000-2011)

This title is indexed with Scopus and the Web of Science’s Emerging Sources Citation Index (ESCI).

For more information, to access the journal or to subscribe visit the Discover platform here.

 

Category: Health and Therapy, Performing Arts


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Co-Editors

Taiwo Afolabi
University of Regina, Canada
taiwo.afolabi@uregina.ca

Claire French
Aarhus University, Denmark
clairefrench@cc.au.dk

Bobby Smith
University of Warwick, UK
Bobby.Smith@warwick.ac.uk

Notes for Contributors Download


Aims & Scope

ATR: Socially Engaged Performance is a leading international journal written for and read by practitioners and scholars that advances performance practices engaging with some of the most complex contemporary contexts. 

This double-blind peer-reviewed journal has a global focus, with an explicit policy of ensuring excellence (and access) from all continents. We work to recognize and continuously improve upon the cultural, geographical, gender and socio-economic equity, including in the Review Board. We aim for the biannual publication of a guest edited issue and welcome expressions of interest from individuals or collectives in this regard. Please contact the editors with your proposal. 

The journal aims to lead debate and innovation in applied theatre, particularly in relation to three overarching and interrelated themes: 

Power and pedagogy 

Applied theatre practitioners and scholars have long balanced issues of power inequities with creative and participant-led pedagogies. In the contemporary context, we are overt about these often-opposing elements of our practice and conditions. We encourage contributions that grapple with the challenges of working to achieve social justice in the contemporary moment. These may critically engage with issues of artistic intervention and appraise or challenge core tenets of applied theatre research towards new and novel understandings.    

Criticality, experimentation and rigour 

The journal provides a platform for research and practice that is critical, experimental and rigorous, and that demonstrates diverse examples of the possibilities and limitations of applied theatre practice. We encourage new forms of more integrated interdisciplinarity involving co-authorship across the academy. We are thrilled to support hybrid performance aesthetics from explorations of theatre and performance. We are eager to present opportunities for emerging tools and challenges to canonized ones. 

Practitioners and new scholars moving the centre 

The journal welcomes contributions from established academics as well as offers special support for practitioners and new scholars. Considering that academic writing can be a daunting task, we offer mentorship support to practitioners and scholars to develop their reflections of practice to publishable standard for the journal.

Looking forward to reading your work,

Taiwo, Claire and Bobby, Co-Editors

Submissions

To submit an article, please read the ‘Call for papers’ tab before following the 'Submit' button on the left of this page.

Peer Review Policy

All submissions undergo initial editorial screening either by the journal's Editorial Team and/or incumbent Guest Editors. Based on the type of written piece, submissions then undergo a rigorous, anonymous, external peer review by two referees, following the guidance in Intellect's 'Peer review instructions'.

There are two sections of ATR: Socially Engaged Performance which engage differing peer review structures:

Crossing Currents – peer review by the Co-Editors.
Practitioner Dialogue – no peer review.

Based on this feedback, the Co-Editors will communicate a decision and revision suggestions to authors. To appeal an editorial decision, please contact the main Editor who will consider your case.

Ethical Guidelines

The journal follows the principles set out by the Committee on Publication Ethics (COPE). Read our Ethical Guidelines for more on the journal's standards.

Co-Editors

Taiwo Afolabi
University of Regina, Canada
taiwo.afolabi@uregina.ca

Claire French
Aarhus University, Denmark
clairefrench@cc.au.dk

Bobby Smith
University of Warwick, UK
Bobby.Smith@warwick.ac.uk

Co-Editors

Taiwo Afolabi
University of Regina, Canada
taiwo.afolabi@uregina.ca

Claire French
Aarhus University, Denmark
clairefrench@cc.au.dk

Bobby Smith
University of Warwick, UK
Bobby.Smith@warwick.ac.uk

Co-Editors

Taiwo Afolabi
University of Regina, Canada
taiwo.afolabi@uregina.ca

Claire French
Aarhus University, Denmark
clairefrench@cc.au.dk

Bobby Smith
University of Warwick, UK
Bobby.Smith@warwick.ac.uk


 

General Call for Papers 

ATR: Socially Engaged Performance seeks articles that reflect on drama, theatre and performance navigating power, pedagogy and complex contemporary contexts. Read the aims and scope tab. 

 

From the beginning of 2025, there are two key deadlines each year for submission to issues:

15 March 2025 – issue 13.1

31 July 2025 – issue 13.2

 

You will be asked to submit to one of our key sections:

Articles (4000–8000 words) – Critical essays with a wide word count range to allow shorter articles to be across forms, in dialogue with images, video or audio.

Crossing Currents (3000–4000 words) – Fresh and provocative pieces introducing key ideas/practice from quickly shifting ecologies. Quick publishing turnaround online.  

Practitioner Dialogue (4000–5000 words) – Exploration of praxis in the language of practitioners. Emphasis on co-authorship, interviews and dialogue.

Book Reviews (500–650 words)

Notices (no maximum)

 

All articles submitted should be original work, well-contextualized, grounded in relevant and contemporary scholarship and must not be under consideration by other publications.

 

Peer Review Policy

All submissions undergo initial editorial screening either by the journal's Editorial Team and/or incumbent Guest Editors. Based on the type of written piece, submissions then undergo a rigorous, anonymous, external peer review by two referees, following the guidance in Intellect's 'Peer review instructions'.

There are two sections ofATR: Socially Engaged Performance which engage differing peer review structures:

Crossing Currents – peer review by the Co-Editors.
Practitioner Dialogue – no peer review.

Based on this feedback, the Co-Editors will communicate a decision and revision suggestions to authors. To appeal an editorial decision, please contact the main Editor who will consider your case.

Languages

Articles in languages other than English can be submitted with an English abstract and will be reviewed, provided that a reviewer can be found.

Intellect has partnered with Enago to offer a 20% discount on their services for our authors and contributors. Enago provide English editing services, including copy editing and translation. This service is intended for potential contributors who would like translation and/or copy editing assistance prior to submitting their work for consideration. Visit their page here to find out more.

Formatting

Download the Notes for Contributors above for information on format and style of submissions. If you need this document in a more accessible format, please contact info@intellectbooks.com. Find more information on Intellect's Accessibility page.

Future contribution

Journal contributors will receive a free PDF copy of their final work upon publication. Print copies of the journal may also be purchased by contributors at half price.

 

Co-Editors

Taiwo Afolabi
University of Regina, Canada
taiwo.afolabi@uregina.ca

Claire French
Aarhus University, Denmark
clairefrench@cc.au.dk

Bobby Smith
University of Warwick, UK
Bobby.Smith@warwick.ac.uk

Editorial Board

Michael Balfour
University of New South Wales, Australia

Penny Bundy
Griffith University, Australia

Chan Yuk Lan
The Hong Kong Art School, Hong Kong

Claire Coleman
University of Waikato, New Zealand

Katie Dawson
The University of Texas at Austin, USA

Peter Duffy
University of South Carolina, USA

Julie Dunn
Griffith University, Australia

Michael Finneran
University of Limerick, Ireland

Rand Hazou
Massey University, New Zealand

Rachael Jacobs
Western Sydney University, Australia

Jonathan Jones
New York University, USA

Yasmine Kandil
University of Victoria & Brock University, Canada

Natalie Lazaroo
Griffith University, Australia

Mary McAvoy
Arizona State University, USA

Carole Miller
University of Victoria, Canada

Molly Mullen
University of Auckland, New Zealand

Allan Owens
University of Chester, UK

Monica Prendergast
University of Victoria, Canada

Juliana Saxton
University of Victoria, Canada

Owen Seda
Tshwane University of Technology, South Africa

Persephone Sextou
Leeds Beckett University, UK

Dani Snyder-Young
Northeastern University, USA

James Thompson
University of Manchester, UK

Tuija Leena Viirret
University of Jyväskylä, Finland

Gustave Weltsek
University of Indiana, USA

Sarah Woodland
University of Melbourne and Queensland Conservatorium Research Centre, Australia

Co-Editors

Taiwo Afolabi
University of Regina, Canada
taiwo.afolabi@uregina.ca

Claire French
Aarhus University, Denmark
clairefrench@cc.au.dk

Bobby Smith
University of Warwick, UK
Bobby.Smith@warwick.ac.uk

 
Australian Education Index
 
China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI)
 
EBSCO
 
EBSCO: International Bibliography of Theatre & Dance with Full Text (IB)
 
European Reference Index for the Humanities (ERIH)
 
International Index to Performing Arts
 
Scopus
 
UGC-CARE
 
Ulrich's Periodicals Directory
 
Web of Science: Emerging Sources Citation Index (ESCI)

Contents

  • Volume (12): Issue (1-2)
  • Cover date:


Contents

  • Volume (11): Issue (1)
  • Cover date: 2023


Contents

  • Volume (11): Issue (2)
  • Cover date: 2023


Contents

  • Volume (10): Issue (1)
  • Cover date: 2022


Contents

  • Volume (10): Issue (2)
  • Cover date: 2022


Contents

  • Volume (9): Issue (1)
  • Cover date: 2021


Contents

  • Volume (9): Issue (2)
  • Cover date: 2021


Contents

  • Volume (8): Issue (1)
  • Cover date: 2020


Contents

  • Volume (8): Issue (2)
  • Cover date: 2020


Contents

  • Volume (7): Issue (1)
  • Cover date: 2019


Contents

  • Volume (7): Issue (2)
  • Cover date: 2019


Contents

  • Volume (6): Issue (1)
  • Cover date: 2018


Contents

  • Volume (6): Issue (2)
  • Cover date: 2018


Contents

  • Volume (5): Issue (1)
  • Cover date: 2017


Contents

  • Volume (5): Issue (2)
  • Cover date: 2017


Contents

  • Volume (5): Issue (3)
  • Cover date: 2017


Contents

  • Volume (4): Issue (1)
  • Cover date: 2016


Contents

  • Volume (4): Issue (2)
  • Cover date: 2016


Contents

  • Volume (4): Issue (3)
  • Cover date: 2016


Contents

  • Volume (3): Issue (1)
  • Cover date: 2015


Contents

  • Volume (3): Issue (2)
  • Cover date: 2015


Contents

  • Volume (3): Issue (3)
  • Cover date: 2015


Contents

  • Volume (2): Issue (1)
  • Cover date: 2014


Contents

  • Volume (2): Issue (2)
  • Cover date: 2014


Contents

  • Volume (1): Issue (1)
  • Cover date: 2013


Contents

  • Volume (1): Issue (2)
  • Cover date: 2013


Co-Editors

Taiwo Afolabi
University of Regina, Canada
taiwo.afolabi@uregina.ca

Claire French
Aarhus University, Denmark
clairefrench@cc.au.dk

Bobby Smith
University of Warwick, UK
Bobby.Smith@warwick.ac.uk

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