Women
Theatre
Justice

Performing, organising, working

Women/Theatre/Justice is the umbrella title for research and public engagement activities that are part of Clean Break: Women, Theatre, Organisation and the Criminal Justice System (2019-2021). This interdisciplinary Arts and Humanities Research Council (AHRC) funded project is led by academics in theatre and performance studies and work and employment relations, in partnership with Clean Break theatre company.

Clean Break was initiated by women in HMP Askham Grange (UK) in 1977 and has since become an internationally recognised theatre, education and advocacy organisation that places stories of women, crime and punishment centre stage.

Through seminars, conferences, training, exhibitions, podcasts and publications, the project examines wider issues including: the criminalisation of women; theatre practices with incarcerated women in different cultural contexts; gender, organisation and leadership; worker voice; the role of higher education in partnerships within the criminal justice system; implications of COVID-19 for incarcerated women and the response of arts organisations.

Learn more about the project

NEWS:

un:mute at The Shard

Monday 22 May 2023 7-9pm, The Shard, London Bridge

A special event hosted by Women/Theatre/Justice and Clean Break Theatre Company.

Keynote speaker Baroness Helena Kennedy KC

Women/Theatre/Justice at The Peopling the Palace(s) Festival

Wednesday 7 June 2023 930am-6pm, QMUL ArtsOne Mile End Road London E1 4PA

Latest Research Blogs

Art, academic research and translation: Warwick Business School EDI Festival 9th November 2022

September 14, 2021

Women-Only Organisations – Working Differently?

Women-Only Organisations – Managing Differently?

In the Clean Break Archive: Clean Break’s Building

‘Nothing About Us Without Us’: Representation in Playwriting

A Reflection on The Pains of Punishment Seminar

January 15, 2021

Graphic Recording: Civic Work of Arts Organisations During COVID 19

December 16, 2020

The Criminalisation of Poverty: A Focus on Women

EVENTS

Women, Theatre, Justice features an interdisciplinary network of scholars from organisation and management, theatre and performance, sociology and law across eleven universities in England. Each partner is hosting a public seminar addressing issues related to women, theatre, organisation and the criminal justice system.

Women/Theatre/Justice at The Peopling the Palace(s) Festival

A multifaceted event including the un:mute art exhibition by artist-in-residence Laura Dean, a sharing of findings from the AHRC Women/Theatre/Justice research project, and a long table discussion on 'How can we end the criminalisation of women?’

View Past Events

Research Materials

Texts and Readings: A selection of academic books, chapters and journal articles that engage with women, theatre and the criminal justice system as well as work, employment and organisation studies.

Films and Recordings

Project Sights and Sounds: Filmed material; recorded seminars, interviews and conversations; graphic recordings.

Artist-in-Residence

Laura Dean is Artist-in-Residence for the WTJ project and will be responding to aspects of the research through her mixed-media practice.