Dr. James Thompson

Biography

James Thompson is a Professor of Applied Social Theatre at the University of Manchester and the founding Director of the TiPP Centre, established in 1992. He has significantly contributed to the field of applied theatre and socially engaged arts, particularly within the context of conflict and humanitarian disaster zones. His research encompasses performance and care, emphasizing the intersection of art and health through projects such as the AHRC-funded Care Aesthetics. He has authored several influential texts including 'Performance Affects' (2009), 'Humanitarian Performance' (2014), and 'Care Aesthetics' (2022), alongside editing works like 'Performing Care' (2021). Thompson's expertise aligns with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, advocating for the transformative role of performing arts in war and disaster-affected areas. His teaching spans undergraduate and postgraduate levels, focusing on topics such as Augusto Boal’s Theatre of the Oppressed and refugee communities, along with supervision in applied theatre.

Research Interests