Have you ever thought about improvising in your research? It might sound surprising, but the skills from improvisational theatre (improv) can offer exciting ways to approach science.

In this Short Course, we will introduce you to the world of improv—an art form in which performers create a scene that is barely or completely unplanned, with no written dialogue. While it may seem intimidating at first, frequent practice of improv is in fact beneficial in many areas, including neuroplasticity, emotional intelligence, collaborative and interactive pedagogy, communication, imagination and creativity. It can even boost self-confidence, reduce social anxiety and support those with neurodiversity.

Don’t worry, you won’t have to improvise on your own! We’ll guide you through fun, collaborative games and share improv-inspired tips and tricks to brainstorm research questions and explore new analysis methods.

This Short Course will be delivered in partnership with Hoopla!, a London-based improv school.