Background on the Centre for Socially Engaged Theatre and Director Dr. Taiwo Afolabi
The Centre for Socially Engaged Theatre (C-SET) at the University of Regina is a hub for intellectual discussion among scholars, artists, drama educators, and community partners and collaborators committed to engaging with the CRC program research questions.
C-SET was initiated in January 2022 and has since grown to include a global team of advisors, affiliates, volunteers, and both domestic and international graduate students. Research projects in the areas of justice, immigration, decolonization, cultural policy and art and wellness aim to inspire new dialogues, initiate new programs, and mobilize community knowledge by using the performing arts as a creative tool to address the knowledge gap around policing and racism, immigrants’ experience, and policy making.
Dr. Taiwo Afolabi, Canada Research Chair (CRC) and Assistant Professor in the Theatre Department at the University of Regina, is the Director of the Centre for Socially Engaged Theatre.
Afolabi, is a theatre professor and practitioner from Nigeria. With decades of experience working across a variety of creative and community contexts in over a dozen countries across four continents, Afolabi is passionate about helping students, researchers, scholars, and the community find meaningful ways to connect and collaborate.
As a CRC holder, Afolabi is part of a select group of researchers who are driving Canada's national strategy to become a leader in research and development. The Canada Research Chairs program plays a pivotal role in this strategy, aiming to achieve research excellence, improve the quality of life, and enhance Canada's international competitiveness. Moreover, the program seeks to equip the next generation of highly skilled individuals with the tools and expertise necessary to tackle the challenges of the future.
Afolabi’s appointment as a CRC and his research contributions, which have gained national and global recognition, were recently recognized in a letter from the Prime Minister of Canada, Justin Trudeau. This recognition is a testament to the outstanding work being done by CRC holders like Afolabi, who is advancing the U of R and CRC’s research agendas.
- 30 -
About the University of Regina
Set in the heart of the Canadian prairies we are a comprehensive, mid-sized university where the opportunities are as limitless as the horizon. Our campuses are on Treaty 4 and 6 - the territories of the nêhiyawak, Anihšināpēk, Dakota, Lakota, and Nakoda peoples, and the homeland of the Michif/Métis nation. It is our responsibility to strengthen relationships with Indigenous communities to build a more inclusive future for all. Our three federated colleges, 10 faculties, 25 academic departments, and 18 research centres foster innovative research with practical and theoretical applications. We are committed to cultivating the potential of our 16,700 students and supporting their health and well-being. We take learning beyond the classroom through work and volunteer experiences to develop career-ready graduates.
Let’s go far, together.