Drama, Dance and Performing Arts
Dance, drama and music is contained within the academic area Arts and Design of the Faculty of Arts, Design & Media, and is part of that overall supportive research culture. Research activity feeds teaching which in turn informs and supports staff research interests. These interests are in the areas of drama and health; music and health; music and sound-led dramaturgy; acting and directing; Irish Theatre and community arts practice. In addition, integral to the iMUSE research centre are music education, special needs education, well-being and quality of life in ageing.
The research groups are well-established with many years of collective and varied experience in educational contexts, in long-term research and in the professional world. Their profile can be viewed as promoting and actively intertwining the three main strands of activity contained within the University's Academic Strategy, namely, Research, Reach-out and Learning and Teaching. An example of this is where staff use research to develop both their level 3 teaching and new curriculum developments at both undergraduate and post-graduate levels. Another is where students undertake projects linking with professional activity in the region. Research is viewed as an essential and integral part of the overall academic activity and is therefore easily sustainable.
The iMUSE research centre - (interactive multi-sensory environments) was established in 2006 and focuses on accessibility to creative experience through an interactive music/arts installation for the elderly and those with special needs. It engages with the development of new therapeutic techniques for those aforementioned groups and provides professional development opportunities in the specialist area of Vibroacoustic Sound Therapy. This centre is based on prior significant research since 1994 led by Phil Ellis, the Professor in Music.
From 2005-2010 Sunderland is part of the North East Centre of Excellence in Teaching and Learning, 'Music and Inclusivity' and Sunderland's project was formulated as a direct result of Professor Ellis's research work. The CETL project at Sunderland builds on iMUSE in the areas of Learning and Teaching both supporting research and importantly enriching community activity and learning for students in the region. A newly developed level 3 module for 2008 in Sound and Music Therapies will draw heavily on past and on-going Sound Therapy research together with current analysis and evaluation methodologies being developed at iMUSE. An MA in this area of work is also planned for 2008 which will attract professionals and graduates from the North East and beyond, in areas of Music, Health and Social Care and Education.
