Dr Angeliki Varakis-Martin

Dr Angeliki Varakis-Martin is a Lecturer in Drama and Theatre at the University of Kent. She holds an MA and PhD in Drama and Theatre from Royal Holloway, University of London, and has taught at Kent since 2007. Her work brings together research-led teaching, practice-based learning and student employability. She is currently Employability Lead for the School of Arts and Architecture, developing placements, industry engagement and co-curricular opportunities for students across the School.

Angeliki has held a range of academic leadership roles, including Director of Graduate Studies for Arts, Director of Undergraduate Studies for Drama, International Exchange Coordinator, Senior Tutor and Chair of the Board of Examiners for a validated institution. She contributes to doctoral supervision, examining and scholarship selection, and has mentored colleagues.

Her academic standing is reflected in invited talks and international conference activity, including at New York University and the University of Oxford, as well as external teaching at Bristol Old Vic Theatre School. She reviews for The Classical Review and The Drama Review, reviews volume proposals for Routledge and Methuen, and has edited Methuen Student Editions. She is a member of the Classical Receptions Network, Theatre and Performance Research Association, and Cognitive Futures in the Arts and Humanities and Nerupi (Network for Evaluating and Researching University Participation Interventions).    

Angeliki researches ancient Greek theatre and masked performance. Her work focuses particularly on Aristophanic comedy, the theatrical mask, embodiment, audience experience and the relationship between historical and contemporary performance practice. She has published widely on Aristophanic performance and Greek masks, including work on performance, cognition and creative reception.

She is developing a monograph on theatre director Karolos Koun and his work on ancient Greek theatre. Her research also encompasses practice research, creative pedagogy and socially engaged arts practice.

A recent strand of her work explores the use of masks in theatre workshops with migrant, refugee and asylum seeker communities. Through a AHRC Impact Accelerator-funded project, she led participatory workshops using masks with partner PROJEKT UTOPIA. She also co-produced Encounter, a research film on mask-based performance in migratory contexts. This work connects theatre practice, public engagement, inclusion and knowledge exchange.    

Angeliki teaches across undergraduate and postgraduate Drama and Theatre provision. Her teaching includes: 

DRAM4000 Making Performance 1

DRAM4002 Making Performance 3

DRAM4004 Puppet and Object Theatre

DRAM5001 Performance Design and Technologies

DRAM5003 Theatre and Adaptation

DRAM5004 Creative Careers  

ARTS6005 Year in Industry

Her teaching is research-informed and practice-led, with particular strengths in ancient Greek theatre, masks and physical theatre, performance-making and creative employability.    

Angeliki welcomes enquiries from prospective PhD candidates working in ancient Greek theatre, classical reception, Aristophanic comedy, masks and masked performance, practice research, participatory performance, and socially engaged arts practice. She has experience of first and second supervision, including supervision to completion, and contributes to doctoral examining and scholarship selection.    

Angeliki is Employability Lead for the School of Arts and Architecture and works with the Careers and Employability Service, iCCi and external partners to develop placements, professional projects and industry engagement for students. She led an AHRC Impact Accelerator-funded project with migrant, refugee and asylum seeker communities, developed in collaboration with PROJEKT UTOPIA. She has also co-organised Professional Summer Schools with external partners, including Chatham Historic Dockyard Trust, supporting live briefs, mentoring and portfolio development for students.