The international conference Theatre about Science intends to map and reflect upon intersections of theatre and science, promote exchange and enlarge the knowledge on the field, trace the evolution of previous trends and identify new types of crossovers. One additional perspective guiding this event is to promote the encounter of the artistic and the science communication worlds.
The 2021, 2023 and 2025 editions created a strong feeling of belonging among the participants, which laid the foundation for building a network of people who work and/or are interested in blending theatre with science, or vice versa. On its fourth edition, the event will continue to instigate and welcome both sides of this equation, provoking fruitful discussions and eventually enlightening multiple motivations and perspectives.
We invite you to come and join this community by registering and/or submitting a proposal for the 2027 conference. Visit the website and discover how to participate!
The founding objectives of the conference remain unchanged:
— Map and reflect upon theatre and science intersections around the globe;
— Promote, exchange and enlarge the knowledge on this field;
— Trace the evolution of previous trends and identify new types of intersections;
— Stimulate encounters between the artistic and the science communication worlds.
The intersections of Science and Theatre can acquire multiple forms, address a myriad of subjects, touch several audiences, use varied spaces and venues or pertain to different contexts. Merging all these possibilities together is the intermingling of theatrical and scientific languages, techniques, subjects, concepts, individuals, institutions, methodologies, spaces, systems or ideas.
We welcome contributions on subjects such as:
— Teatro sobre temas e conceitos científicos
— Práticas contemporâneas no teatro sobre ciência
— Teatro e História da Ciência
— A ciência na História do Teatro
— Processos de investigação teatral vs. processos de investigação científica
— O teatro na formação de investigadores científicos
— Financiamento nas artes e na ciência
— O teatro na comunicação científica
— Teatro em palcos científicos
— Tendências futuras no teatro sobre ciência
That may address questions such as:
— Can theatre help solve scientific problems?
— Does scientific knowledge transform theatre?
— What kinds of audiences for science in performance?
— Why theatre in science communication?
— What kind of knowledge about science can theatre offer?
— Can theatre transform the ways scientists perform their research?
— How does theatre engage with public debates about science and scientific developments?
— Can theatre inspire new scientific research?
— Where are the boundaries between communicating science and performing science?
Accepted formats:
— Oral presentation on one of the themes of the conference (15 minutes).
— Short performance related to the themes of the conference (max. 30 minutes).
— Workshop related to the themes of the conference (max. 90 minutes).
Abstracts:
— Submissions should be in English.
— Between 300 and 400 words.
Relevant dates:
— Deadline for proposals submission: by 31 January 2027
— Notification of acceptance: by 22 March 2027
Scientific Committee
Alex Mermikides (UK), Andrea Brunello (IT), Carla Almeida (PT), Carlos Fiolhais (PT), Daniel Abdalla (UK), Daniel Gamito-Marques (PT), Elisabeth Bouchaud (FR), Emma Weitkamp (UK), Joana Lobo Antunes (PT), Marcus du Sautoy (UK), Paul Johnson (UK), Steve Abbott (EUA), Teresa Girão (PT)
Keynote Speakers
Doron Weber (US), Lauren M. Gunderson (US), Marina Carpineti (IT)
Organising Committee
Ana Santos Carvalho (GeneT | CIBB), Catarina Seabra (iiiUC), Clara Barata (FPCEUC | CEIS20), Fernando Matos Oliveira (FLUC | CEIS20), Francisca Moreira (Marionet), Mário Montenegro (Marionet | CEIS20), João Gaspar (Coimbra Chemistry Centre), Sara Varela Amaral (CNC UC | CIBB), Silvia Carballo (Marionet)
Organising Institutions
Marionet, Coimbra City Council, Faculty of Arts and Humanities of the University of Coimbra, Institute of Interdisciplinary Research of the University of Coimbra, Faculty of Psychology and Education Sciences of the University of Coimbra, Centre for Innovation in Biomedicine and Biotechnology, Centre for Neuroscience and Cell Biology, Centre for Interdisciplinary Studies, Gene Therapy CoE at the Center of Portugal, Gil Vicente Academic Theatre
In partnership with
Rómulo – Centro Ciência, SciCom – Portuguese Network of Science and Technology Communication, Chemistry Department of the University of Coimbra, Student HUB
With the support of
Portuguese Republic – Culture / Directorate-General for the Arts, Coimbra City Council, Ciência Viva – National Agency for Scientific and Technological Culture, Foundation for Science and Technology
