Performance Science – Details, episodes & analysis

Performance Science is a podcast exploring the science of performing and the role of performance in society. It encourages us to think differently about the ways in which performing is part of our lives.

In the first season, we look at the wellbeing of performing artists through conversations with performers and those working across the creative industries. Specifically, we consider how the recent disruption of the COVID-19 pandemic has shed a light on the broader challenges of being a performing artist and ask what the future holds for the creative workforce.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this first episode, host Aaron Williamon, Head of the Centre for Performance Science, is joined by puppetry director and dramaturg Rachel Warr, and Neta Spiro from the Royal College of Music, London. Together, they explore research from the HEartS Professional project, which examined performers’ wellbeing during and after the pandemic. They discuss key insights on supporting artists’ resilience and the lessons we can draw from the pandemic’s impact on the arts.  

Research:

Spiro, N., et al., (2021). The effects of COVID-19 lockdown 1.0 on working patterns, income, and wellbeing among performing arts professionals in the United Kingdom (April–June 2020). Frontiers in Psychology, 11, 594086. DOI>>  

Perkins, R., et al., (2022). How arts engagement supported social connectedness during the first year of the COVID-19 pandemic in the UK: Findings from the HEartS Survey. Public Health, 207, 1-6. DOI>>  

Links:

The Art Workers’ Guild [LINK]

Credits:

Host: Aaron Williamon (Head of Centre for Performance Science)

Guests: Rachel Warr (Puppetry Director and Dramaturg), Neta Spiro (Royal College of Music, London) 

Production support: Caitlin Shaughnessy, Frederick Lam, Michael Durrant (Centre for Performance Science), Nic Flatt (Fat Panda), Chris Garrington (Research Podcasts) 

With thanks to the Arts and Humanities Research Council for their generous support.  

Recorded September 2024 at the Royal College of Music, London.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this second episode, host Aaron Williamon, Head of the Centre for Performance Science, is joined by Claire Cordeaux, CEO of the British Association for Performing Arts Medicine (BAPAM), and Erin Sanchez, Head of the National Institute of Dance Medicine and Science (NIDMS) at One Dance UK. They discuss the mental and physical health of performers, sharing insights from their work with leading organisations and research on how performers’ wellbeing can be better supported in the arts. 

Research:

Spiro, N., et al., (2021). The effects of COVID-19 lockdown 1.0 on working patterns, income, and wellbeing among performing arts professionals in the United Kingdom (April–June 2020). Frontiers in Psychology, 11, 594086. DOI>>  

Spiro, N., et al., (2024). The HEartS professional model: A conceptual model for arts professionals’ work and wellbeing. Social Sciences & Humanities Open. (In press). [LINK] 

Credits:

Host: Aaron Williamon (Head of Centre for Performance Science) 

Guests: Claire Cordeaux (British Association for Performing Arts Medicine), Erin Sanchez (One Dance UK) 

Production support: Caitlin Shaughnessy, Frederick Lam, Michael Durrant (Centre for Performance Science), Nic Flatt (Fat Panda), Chris Garrington (Research Podcasts) 

With thanks to the Arts and Humanities Research Council for their generous support.  

Recorded September 2024 at the Royal College of Music, London.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this third episode, host Aaron Williamon, Head of the Centre for Performance Science, is joined by Charlotte Penton-Smith, Chief Executive of the Royal Society of Musicians, and Lynda Rooke, President of Equity. They explore the financial instability faced by the creative workforce, the challenges of freelancing, and the impact these factors have on the health and wellbeing of artists. The conversation also looks at ways to protect performers and considers future research and support initiatives within the industry.  

Research:

Shaughnessy, C., et al., (2022). The future of the cultural workforce: Perspectives from early career arts professionals on the challenges and future of the cultural industries in the context of COVID-19. Social Sciences and Humanities Open, 6(1), 1-12. DOI>>

Spiro, N., et al., (2024). The HEartS professional model: A conceptual model for arts professionals’ work and wellbeing. Social Sciences & Humanities Open. (In press). [LINK] 

Credits:

Host: Aaron Williamon (Head of Centre for Performance Science) 

Guests: Charlotte Penton-Smith (Royal Society of Musicians), Lynda Rooke (Equity)

Production support: Caitlin Shaughnessy, Frederick Lam, Michael Durrant (Centre for Performance Science), Nic Flatt (Fat Panda), Chris Garrington (Research Podcasts) 

With thanks to the Arts and Humanities Research Council for their generous support.  

Recorded September 2024 at the Royal College of Music, London.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In the finale of this series, host Aaron Williamon, Head of the Centre for Performance Science, is joined by Josh Siepel, Research Lead for Creative Clusters, R&D and Innovation at the AHRC Creative Industries Policy and Evidence Centre (PEC), and Rosie Perkins from the Royal College of Music, London. They explore the next steps for supporting artistic communities and focusing on the future of the creative workforce, drawing on research and policy insights to better protect performers’ health and wellbeing.  

Research:

Shaughnessy, C., et al., (2023). Cultivating progressive development in the cultural industries: Challenges and support needs identified by the creative workforce in the United Kingdom. Cultural Trends. DOI>> 

Williamon, A., et al., (2022). Policy brief: HEartS professional: The health, economic and social impact of COVID-19 on professionals in the arts: Findings and policy implications for cultural recovery. The Pandemic and Beyond. DOI>>  

Credits:

Host: Aaron Williamon (Head of Centre for Performance Science) 

Guests: Josh Siepel (Creative Industries Policy and Evidence Centre), Rosie Perkins (Royal College of Music, London)

Production support: Caitlin Shaughnessy, Frederick Lam, Michael Durrant (Centre for Performance Science), Nic Flatt (Fat Panda), Chris Garrington (Research Podcasts) 

With thanks to the Arts and Humanities Research Council for their generous support.  

Recorded September 2024 at the Royal College of Music, London.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.