Adam Bence Bethlenfalvy

Dr. Adam Bence Bethlenfalvy is an Associate Professor at the Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences, Károli Gáspár University of the Reformed Church in Hungary. Born in Delhi, India in 1977, he holds a PhD in Drama Pedagogy (Education) from Birmingham City University (2017) and MA degrees in English Language and Literature from ELTE (2004). He serves as Research Group Leader of the Theatre Pedagogy and Theatre Sociology Research Group and has directed numerous theatre productions while maintaining an active research profile.

Bethlenfalvy earned his doctoral degree in 2017 from Birmingham City University with a dissertation titled "Living through extremes: an exploration of integrating a Bondian approach to theatre into 'living through' drama." His educational background includes dual MA degrees from ELTE Budapest in 2004 - one in English Language and Literature and another as an English Language and Literature Teacher. He also obtained professional qualification in drama direction from the Hungarian Drama Pedagogical Society in 1996. His language proficiency includes English (C2), French (A2), and Hindi (A2).

Dr. Bethlenfalvy's research focuses on drama pedagogy, theatre education, and Edward Bond's theatre. His work explores the integration of Bondian approaches into living through drama, reflective practice in educational settings, and creative partnerships in theatre education. He has made significant contributions to understanding how fictional contexts can liberate educational and artistic processes, particularly through process drama methodologies. His research also addresses contemporary challenges such as digital media usage, online learning during the pandemic, and code-switching in multilingual drama classrooms.

His extensive publication record shows a clear focus on mapping and analyzing educational theatre programs in Hungary and Europe. Recent work examines methodology for national mapping of educational theatre, the big picture of objectives and strategies in Hungarian educational theatre programs, and trends in educational theatre practices. His scholarship consistently connects theory with practical applications in drama education while exploring the intersections between Edward Bond's theatrical approaches and educational drama methodologies.

Dr. Bethlenfalvy has supervised doctoral students including Melinda Gemza (University of Debrecen) and Dear Kristina (Babeș–Bolyai University). He has served as an opponent at numerous doctoral defenses, including for Ramona Gecse (2021), Antal Klaudia (2022), Vera Prontvai (2022), Kata Pető (2022), and Prezsmer Boglárka Laura (2023). He leads research projects including "Theatre and society – theatre pedagogy and theatre sociology in Hungary" (2022-2024) and participates in "Victim Roles" and "Code-switching in the arts" projects.

As an active practitioner, Bethlenfalvy has directed numerous theatre productions, including "OnLife" at Csokonai National Theatre (2025), "Dragon's Eye" (2024), and several Edward Bond adaptations. He has organized significant conferences such as the Democracy through Drama Summer School (2019) and The GAP conference (2016). His professional activities also include membership in academic societies like IDEA Europe, Hungarian Drama and Theatre in Education Association, and National Association for the Teaching of Drama.