Alice Marshall - book launch

Join us to celebrate the recent publication of Parenthood and Performance: Parenthood’s Profound Impact on Creativity and Expression by University of Derby academic Alice Marshall – a special event hosted by University of Derby Library in collaboration with CivicLAB™.

Chaired by Professor Rhiannon Jones, Head of Civic and Communities, the event will include a talk by author Alice Marshall, followed by questions from audience members. The event will also include a display of photos and images from Alice’s research, and a screening of the short dance film Tender Steps.

Attendance is free and all are welcome – the event will be particularly of interest to students, researchers, artists, and performers interested in the interplay between parenthood, creativity, identity, and human experience.

This is an in person event at the Doctoral College, University of Derby. Tea and coffee will be provided for visitors.

About the book

Parenthood and Performance explores the collision of worlds when an artist becomes a parent, by looking at the profound ways in which parenthood transforms the creative process and artistic expression.

Through in-depth interviews, analysis of work across the performing arts, and the author’s personal anecdotes, it is revealed that becoming a parent can both challenge and enrich the artistic process, with work and life shifting and changing as parenthood is navigated. Parenthood and Performance uncovers the many myths of an artist- parent and embarks on the topic with honesty, insight, and empathy. The interviewed artists add to the conversation on the balance between care and creation, gendered expectations, and the resilience required to sustain a creative career amidst the nappies and school runs. This book also discusses the impact of infertility, baby loss, and choosing not to have a family – factors which contribute to the make- up of an artist and to their work.

Parenthood and Performance is available to preview and purchase on the Routledge website. A 20% discount is available with the code 26AFLY1.

Members of the University of Derby have access to library copies of Parenthood and Performance through Library Search.

CivicLab

CivicLAB™ is based at the University of Derby which is situated in a UNESCO City of LifeLong Learning and a county that is home to multiple World Heritage Sites. It has been designed to support academics, creative and cultural industry professionals and freelance creatives to share their insights on research and practice through a place-based approach to knowledge generation. Established in late 2020, it has created opportunities for over 14,600 staff, students and external stakeholders and members of the public. The CivicLAB™ provides a thinking space to bring together participants from academia, creative and cultural industry, third sector and freelance practitioners.

Find out more about CivicLAB

The Speakers