Professorship in Performance and Theatre Studies

The Institute of Performative Practice, Art and Education at Braunschweig University of Art (HBK) is  seeking to fill the following professorship, starting date April 1, 2025: University Professor in Performance and Theatre Studies, Salary Scale W3 NBesG.

The successful applicant will be appointed as a civil servant in accordance with German civil service regulations, if applicable, or otherwise as an employee. This is a permanent appointment.

The central remit of the professorship is teaching and research in the area of performance and theatre studies, forming part of the Performing Arts degree programme. Performing Arts is studied as one of the subjects leading to a dual-subject degree, qualifying the degree-holder to teach at “Gymnasium” level, and/or to practise in theatre pedagogy contexts outside of schools, such as theatres, centres for drama teaching or sociocultural establishments. The Institute of Performative Practice, Art and Education understands theatre in a broad sense that is oriented towards the connection between contemporary theatre and performance practice and pedagogy. On this basis, learning and teaching at the institute embody an interweaving of artistic practice, theoretical reflection and research.

Responsibilities
–Teaching and research in the field of Theory of the Performing Arts and Theatre Studies, with a clearly visible artistic relationship to and interest in inter- and transdisciplinary questions (e.g. in areas such as philosophy, politics, ecology, cultural and social studies, gender studies, postcolonial and decolonial theory, media theory).
–Designing, delivering and evaluating teaching within the bachelor and master’s degree programmes in Performing Arts in the areas of the history and theory of performance and theatre; aesthetics of time-based art in public spaces; theories of contemporary theatre; performance analysis; reflection on theatre practice; and interdisciplinary connections in the arts.
–Teaching (e.g., seminars, lectures, exercises) on the theory and practice of theatre and performance art that is also applicable for students of other disciplines (art education, fine art, art history and aesthetics and the other institutes at HBK).
–Accompanying field trips and supervising student projects.
–Supervising bachelor and master’s theses, doctoral dissertations and Habilitation projects.
–Interdisciplinary collaboration with artists, practitioners and researches in art education, designers and academic staff at HBK and its partner universities for the Performing Arts degree.
–Participation in academic self-governance and as a member of committees.

To be eligible for employment, candidates must meet the following statutory requirements: 
–University degree
–Doctoral degree in theatre studies or a related humanities subject
–A Habilitation degree (entitling the holder to teach at professorial level) or equivalent
–Proven pedagogical and didactic aptitude

Further conditions of employment:
–Outstanding subject-specific expertise in performance and theatre theory
–Willingness to actively engage in academic self-governance
–Knowledge of German at C1 level of the Common European Reference Framework
–The ability and willingness to work in partnership in research and teaching with other areas of HBK Braunschweig such as Fine Art, Design Research, Art History and Aesthetics and Media Studies.

As a requirement of the position, all candidates are expected to demonstrate social and leadership competencies and to promote equality and diversity, and to make a positive contribution to combating discrimination at the university. All candidates must demonstrate excellent communication skills and the willingness to work with other departments across the university in order to promote an integrated approach to teaching and learning.

Candidates who can demonstrate the following qualifications are particularly encouraged to apply:

–Experience in research partnerships and the acquisition of third-party funding
–Knowledge of English to a level enabling the candidate to hold selected lectures or seminars in English
–Experience in artistic (collective/collaborative) practice
–Regular contact with European and global institutions and networks
–An internationally visible research profile.

For full details regarding the advertised professorship, including the necessary application documents and legal framework, please visit here.