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 (2019-2023). 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:

Our book Clean Break Theatre Company published by Cambridge University Press, 2024

https://www.cambridge.org/core/elements/abs/clean-break-theatre-company/B6C79B239D1D9F18DC9093C7BC67B3F3

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

Short videos from the event on the Films and Recordings page.

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

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

Pictures from the event on the Living Gallery page, photo numbers 115-125.

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

All Blog Posts

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.

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.