Ben Francombe

Ben Francombe is a Senior Lecturer and Head of Theatre at the University of Chichester since 2004. He serves on the Academic Board and previously held leadership roles at Bretton Hall (Head of Acting, 1997–2004) and as a Visiting Professor at California Institute of Integral Studies (CIIS) for the International MFA in Theatre-Performance Making (2014–2017). He directs the Showroom, a national touring theatre venue, and is a Senior Fellow of the Higher Education Academy, mentoring new teaching staff in PGCert and UCPP programs.

Research interests: Ben specializes in

• Place and Performance
• Marginality and Post-Colonial Discourse in British Theatre
• Modern Irish Drama
• Politics of Performance Training
• Professional-Amateur Dynamics in Creative Practice

His work explores intersections of geography, identity, and pedagogy in contemporary performance.

Publications highlight analyses of playwrights like Tom MacIntyre, Brian Friel, and Frank McGuinness, alongside dramaturgical studies of companies such as 1927, Paper Birds, and Search Party. His scholarship emphasizes Practice as Research in Performance and educational reforms in drama curricula.

Awards and roles: Recognized as a Senior Fellow of the Higher Education Academy, Ben contributes to

• External examining for the Open University
• Program development with Quality Assurance Units
• Professional dramaturgy for award-winning companies

Professional affiliations: He is an Associate Artist of 1927 Theatre Company, with international collaborations extending to Coproductions in Vienna and San Francisco.