Researcher

Professor Michael Balfour

My Expertise

Michael Balfour is a distinguished researcher in applied theatre and performance, with a focus on diverse social contexts. His work spans prison theatre, refugee performance, and the impact of performance in sites of war. Balfour also explores the intersection of arts and health, conducting major studies on play-based approaches for individuals with mid to late-stage dementia. In recent projects, he has co-designed virtual reality experiences for adolescents facing serious illnesses in hospital settings. Balfour's research reflects a commitment to the transformative power of the arts in navigating complex human experiences.

Keywords

Fields of Research (FoR)

Performing arts, Drama, theatre and performance studies

Biography

Professor Michael Balfour, the Head of the School of Arts and Media at the University of New South Wales (UNSW), brings a wealth of experience and expertise to his role. Prior to his current position, he held the positions of Professor and Chair of Applied and Social Theatre (2006-2018) and Deputy Head of the School of Humanities, Languages, and Social Sciences (2017-2019) at Griffith University. Michael’s primary research interest is...view more

Professor Michael Balfour, the Head of the School of Arts and Media at the University of New South Wales (UNSW), brings a wealth of experience and expertise to his role. Prior to his current position, he held the positions of Professor and Chair of Applied and Social Theatre (2006-2018) and Deputy Head of the School of Humanities, Languages, and Social Sciences (2017-2019) at Griffith University. Michael’s primary research interest is interdisciplinary arts research with a social impact. His scholarly output includes authoring or editing eight books, 50 book chapters, and numerous academic journal articles, with an H index of 21. He has secured over 2.2 million dollars in competitive research funding, including five Australian Research Grants. Michael’s current ARC Discovery project focuses on co-designing virtual reality worlds with young people managing serious illnesses in hospitals, showcasing his commitment to socially impactful research. This project involves collaboration with experts from diverse fields, including palliative care, paediatrics, film, and game design.

 

 


My Grants

2018 Humanities Grant Development Fellowship ($6,000) Future Stories: emotion, empathy and social technologies. Exploring the affective benefits of immersive 360 video with children receiving palliative care services and their families.

2017 International Workshop Awards, Griffith University. Engaging the arts in ageing and wellbeing: Communities and care ($6,000).

2014 Collaborative Research Grant, Griffith University. Re-conceiving asylum seekers/refugees as transnational justice actors: Re-thinking practice and theory through creativity ($9,987).

2014 Strategic learning and teaching grant. The Twenty-first Century Academic: Re-imagining the life and work of academic staff to contribute to an enhanced university experience for staff and students ($50,000).

2013 Department of Immigration and Border Security. Traction and engagement project with young people from Logan ($50,000). Co-investigator with community agencies and Queensland Theatre Company.

2013 Australian Council of the Arts, Daughters of the Floating Brothel, ($20,000). Creative development of a verbatim project with women in corrections. Co-investigator with Woodland, S.

2012 Australian Research Council Linkage Grant (2012-2015). Playful engagement and dementia: assessing the efficacy of applied theatre practices for people with dementia in residential aged care facilities ($220,000).

2012 Australian Research Council Linkage Grant (2012-2015). Captive Audiences: The impact of performing arts programs in Australian prisons ($138,000).

2012 Collaborative Research Grant, Griffith University. The Boat House – Representing the Elders. Indigenous research, oral history and documentary theatre ($15,000).

2012 Griffith Grants for Learning and Teaching. Theatre Scope 2nd stage development ($14,000). Principal investigator with Woodland, S. 2012-2013.

2011 Australian Research Council Discovery Grant (2011-2014). The difficult return: arts-based approaches to mental health literacy and building resilience with recently returned military personnel and their families. ($240,000). Principal investigator with Stewart, D., Nasveld, (University of Queensland) P., Fuery Chapman University, USA)

2011 Collaborative Research Scheme, Griffith University. The Boat House - Representing the Elders: indigenous research, oral history, and documentary theatre ($16,000).

2010 Australian Research Council Linkage Grant (2010-2013). Developing refugee resilience and effective resettlement through drama-based interventions ($80,000). Principal investigator with Burton, B Bundy, P and Dunn, J.

2010 Diverse Australia Grant (Department for Immigration and Citizenship) ‘Live Stories’ worked creatively and collaboratively with diverse community groups to enhance inter-ethnic dialogue and understanding ($33,000) Principal investigator with Woodland, S. 2010-2011.

2009 Griffith Grants for Learning and Teaching Theatre Scope: Attainment, Access and Engagement. Developing sustainable responses to inclusion, diversity and student success through innovative and creative work-based learning initiatives ($50,000). Principal investigator with Woodland, S. 2009-2011.

2009 Leverhulme Trust. A three-year international research network grants to foster and develop partnerships with performance artists working in war zones (£88,000). Co-investigator with Thompson, J.

2008 Department of Immigration and Citizenship, in partnership with Refugee and Immigration Legal Services (RAILS) for a community based Citizenship Education Program. ($40,000).

2004 Arts and Humanities Research Council Major Research Grant (2004-2008). In Place of War (£390,000). Co-investigator with Thompson, J (Principal, University of Manchester).


My Qualifications

University of Lancaster. Ph.D. in Theatre and Performance (1998).

University of Ulster Bachelor of Arts (First Class Hons) Theatre and Media Studies (1992) First Class Honours.


My Awards

2017 National Leadership in Arts and Health, Arts and Health National Awards.

2015 National Leadership in Arts and Health Research, Arts and Health National Awards.

2015 Nominated, The Return (Play) Prize for Distinctive Work in the Humanities, Arts and Social Sciences, Council of Humanities and Social Sciences (CHASS).

2013 Playful Engagement and Dementia, Creative Partnerships Australia Award.

2012 Citation for Outstanding Contributions to Student Learning, Australian National Awards for University Teaching.

2011 National Teaching Excellence Award, Australian Learning and Teaching Council.

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Location

Room 311S, Webster Building
University of New South Wales (UNSW)
Sydney NSW 2052


Map reference (Google map)