University of Manchester award Keisha Thompson an Honorary Research Fellowship

Manchester-based Keisha Thompson became the first Black woman, the first Mancunian and youngest person to be named Artistic Director and CEO of Contact in 2022.

Keisha Thompson

To add to a growing list of recognition for the writer, performance artist and producer, Keisha has been awarded an Honorary Research Fellowship in the Drama department at the University of Manchester.

The fellowship recognises the outstanding contribution Keisha makes to the performing arts scene here Manchester, her home city.

John McAuliffe, Director of Creative Manchester, said:

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Keisha Thompson is a creative force, as a playwright and poet, as choreographer, performer and producer and, lately, as director of Contact: we are delighted with her appointment as fellow at the University of Manchester – and looking forward to working with Keisha on her new and developing projects.

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Felicia Chan, Head of Drama and Film at the University of Manchester said:

“

The Drama & Film department has had a long-standing relationship with Contact, and we are now excited by this opportunity to work more closely with Keisha as an artist-researcher-practitioner, and to explore the possibilities for creative dialogue and engagement across her work and ours.

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Keisha Thompson, CEO of Contact Theatre and recipient of the Honorary Research fellowship said:

“

As a University of Manchester alumna and a proud Mancunian, I am proud to accept fellowship. I am keen to explore how I can work with the university over the next three years to pursue some of my personal academic interests as well as bringing Contact and UoM closer together.

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