Consultancy for Performing Arts and Creative Higher Education 

What I do 
I work with universities, conservatoires and creative higher‑education providers to support high‑quality teaching, learning and leadership in performing arts and practice‑based disciplines. 

My work focuses on studio‑based pedagogy, practice‑led assessment, reflective development, inclusivity, wellbeing and the preparation of students for sustainable artistic careers. 

Drawing on research in practice‑based performing arts pedagogy, alongside extensive experience in conservatoire and HE staff development, I support institutions to design learning environments that enable: 

• excellence in performance and artistic practice
• strong student experience and belonging
• reflective, resilient learners
• educators who teach with confidence and clarity
• learning that translates beyond graduation into creative and professional life

At the heart of my approach is a commitment to education as formation: helping students and staff become capable, reflective, and socially engaged practitioners—what I describe as artistic citizens.


How I work
 I work in partnership with institutions, departments and individuals. My approach is:
 discipline‑specific – grounded in performing arts and creative practice

• research‑informed – drawing on pedagogy, practice‑based research and HE frameworks
• practical and reflective – immediately useful, without losing depth
• supportive and rigorous – challenging practice while valuing existing expertise

All work is tailored to context, recognising that conservatoires, creative faculties and hybrid providers face distinct challenges and pressures.
 

Core areas of work

Teaching and Learning in Practice‑Based Contexts
 

• Progressive pedagogy for studio, rehearsal and performance learning
• Curriculum and learning design for creative disciplines
• Assessment, feedback and critique cultures
• Inclusive and equitable pedagogy in the performing arts

Advance HE / HEA Fellowship Support (PSF 2023)
 

• Fellowship preparation (AFHEA – PFHEA) for practice‑based staff
• Cohort programmes, writing support and mentoring
• Translating creative practice into reflective academic narratives
• Supporting departments and faculties to build Fellowship capacity

Practice‑Based Research and Research Cultures
 

• Practice as research and learning
• Supporting staff to articulate and evidence practice‑based inquiry
• Developing confidence, language and identity around research

Leadership, Wellbeing and Sustainability
 

• Leadership development for programme leaders and creative academics
• Wellbeing as a pedagogical responsibility
• Supporting sustainable teaching, learning and artistic careers

Consultancy packages

Creative Pedagogy Reset

A focused exploration of teaching, learning and assessment in practice‑based disciplines.

Ideal for: departments, programme teams or faculties
Format: half‑day, full‑day or short programme
 
Typical focus areas include:
 

• studio and rehearsal pedagogy
• feedback and critique cultures
• student engagement and learning design

Practice‑Based Fellowship Pathway

Structured support for Advance HE Fellowship in creative and performing arts contexts.

Ideal for: departments or faculties seeking to increase Fellowship success
Format: cohort‑based programme (with optional individual mentoring)
 
Includes:
 

• mapping creative practice to PSF 2023
• reflective writing development
• peer support and feedback

From Practice to Research

Supporting staff to understand, value and articulate practice‑based research.

Ideal for: research‑developing departments or creative faculties
Format: workshops, development days, or bespoke projects
 
Focuses on:
 

• practice‑led inquiry
• documentation and reflection
• building confident research identities

Inclusive Creative Teaching

Embedding inclusion, belonging and equity within conservatoire and creative HE.

Ideal for: institutions responding to EDI priorities or curriculum review
Format: bespoke workshops or staff development programmes
 
Addresses:
 

• participation and voice
• assessment fairness
• power and learning relationships

Leading Creative Education

Leadership development for those responsible for learning in creative contexts.

Ideal for: programme leaders, heads of subject, emerging leaders
Format: development days or short programmes
 
Explores:
 

• leadership identities in creative HE
• responsibility for learning, wellbeing and culture
• leading change without losing artistic values

Formats offered
 

• Bespoke staff development workshops
• Departmental or faculty away‑days
• Cohort‑based development programmes
• One‑to‑one mentoring and critical friendship
• Short‑term consultancy projects

All work is scoped clearly and designed to fit within existing institutional structures and priorities.
 

Fees

Fees are set in line with senior specialist consultancy in UK higher education and depend on scope, scale and format. I work primarily on:
 

• day‑based rates for workshops and development days
• programme‑based fees for cohort work and ongoing support

All fees are agreed in advance, with clarity around outcomes and expectations.
 

Finding out more
 
If you would like to discuss potential work, explore whether my approach is a good fit for your context, or develop a bespoke programme, I’m very happy to talk.
 
You can:
 

• get in touch via the contact form
• email directly to arrange an initial conversation
• request a short outline or proposal for specific work

There is no obligation attached to an initial discussion.