IDIERI 11: Event Recap

IDIERI 11 Brings Global Collaborators to UBC – A Recap of a Transformative Event

The 11th International Drama in Education Research Institute (IDIERI 11) convened at the University of British Columbia from June 21–24, 2025, drawing scholars, practitioners, and artists focused on drama in educational research. Co-hosted by the Department of Language & Literacy Education, Department of Theatre & Film, the Arts Club Theatre Company, and Bard on the Beach, the conference showcased a rich program of keynotes, panels, workshops, and creative residencies designed to spark dialogue and innovation in the field.
 

Over four dynamic days, participants engaged in performances and participatory sessions that invited attendees to explore embodied storytelling, personal narrative, and collaborative dramaturgy.

The conference made the most of UBC’s Point Grey campus, with sessions taking place across its theatres and classrooms, and social gatherings in spaces like Freddy Wood Theatre, Ponderosa Ballroom, and the Alumni Centre. Partnerships with community hubs such as the Arts Club Theatre Company and Bard on the Beach brought additional vibrancy to the event, enabling meaningful exchanges between academic and artistic communities.

A heartfelt thank you to every presenter, panelist, artist, and participant who helped shape the richness of this event. A sincere thank you as well to the incredible graduate student volunteers whose energy, care, and behind-the-scenes support helped ensure the smooth running of the conference.

Stay tuned for publications, archived materials, and ongoing community initiatives emerging from IDIERI 11.

We look forward to how this exchange informs future research and practice in drama education around the world. For more information and downloadable resources, visit the IDIERI 11 website.

The UBC Office of Global Engagement hosted an interview with Dr. George Belliveau on this conference.
See the full article here: ‘Roots & Routes’ Drama in Education conference helps researchers, artists & educators drive social change around the world.