Generational feminisms in contemporary northern irish performance
‘Generational Feminisms in Contemporary Northern Irish Performance’ (GenFem) will examine the embodied experiences of different generations of women in Northern Ireland, as well as their differing relationships to feminisms: both feminist movements and feminist ideas as they circulate within culture. These embodied experiences will be explored through the context of performance and will investigate working practices that address the tensions and solidarities of intergenerational relationships. GenFem will enable the experienced researcher, Dr. Shonagh Hill (SH) to undertake a 26- month fellowship at Queen’s University Belfast (QUB) under the supervision of Dr. Aoife McGrath (AM). This period of mobility will see SH acquire new skills in practice-led research and movement methodologies through working closely with her main supervisor; contribute new knowledge to the host, namely SH's expertise in gender and performance, through teaching and engagement with the QUB research community; continue her professional development by attending courses offered by the QUB ‘Staff Training and Development Unit’; develop Practice-as-Research workshops with participants from a diverse range of ages and backgrounds in partnership with Northern Irish dance company Maiden Voyage; and gain research-relevant, inter-sectoral experience working with archives and developing outreach activities at the Linen Hall Library. Combining critical and practice-based methods will generate pioneering research, which will be innovatively disseminated for diverse audiences within and beyond the academy. GenFem will augment and advance SH’s international reputation as a leading scholar in gender and performance, as well as expanding the fields of performance/ gender/ Irish studies.