Dr Ian Farnell
Teaching Fellow in Theatre and Performance
Director of Undergraduate Studies
Office: FAB1.43
I am an award-winning teacher leading on modules across the Theatre and Performance Studies undergraduate programme.
As a member of the Warwick community, I am passionate about protecting and preserving the natural world around us. I work in collaboration with the university's sustainability team to promote the importance of nature to our students, and I am working with colleagues from across multiple disciplines on climate change-related projects.
Beyond this, my existing research explores the intersection between theatre and science fiction. Following a monograph on this subject, I am editing collections on theatre, performance “the fantastic”, including fantasy, horror, the gothic, folklore, and other non-realist popular forms.
Finally, having spent over a decade working in retail before academia, I am interested in how customer service can be understood through the lens of performance.
Publications
Monographs and edited collections
2025: Science Fiction and Contemporary British TheatreLink opens in a new window. London: Bloomsbury
Forthcoming: Theatre, Performance and the Fantastic Vol. 1: Stages and Scripts. London: Bloomsbury
Forthcoming: Theatre, Performance and the Fantastic Vol. 2: Practices and Politics. London: Bloomsbury
Articles
2021: 'Theatre, Science Fiction, and Care Robots: Embodying Contemporary Experiences of CareLink opens in a new window'. Theatre Journal 73 (3): pp.373-389.
2020: ‘Science, Science Fiction, and Nick Payne’s Elegy: A Conceptual Third WayLink opens in a new window’. Studies in Theatre and Performance 40 (2): pp. 206-223.
2019: ‘Science Fiction and the Theatre of Alistair McDowallLink opens in a new window’. Contemporary Theatre Review 29 (2): 121-137.
2019: ‘In space, no one can hear you say you didn’t “get” it: theatre, science fiction, and genre snobbery’Link opens in a new window. Contemporary Theatre Review Interventions July 2019.
2017: ‘Utopian dreams, dystopian realities in Lucy Kirkwood and Anne WashburnLink opens in a new window’. Foundation: The International Review of Science Fiction 46 (128): 38-47
Book chapters
2025: 'Contemporary Theatre and Medical Science Fiction'. The Edinburgh Companion to Science Fiction and the Medical Humanities, ed. Gavin Miller, Anna McFarlane and Donna McCormack. Edinburgh: Edinburgh University Press
2019: ‘Alistair McDowall’s X: Science Fiction Theatre’. Sci-Fi: A Companion, ed. Jack Fennell. 2019. Oxford: Peter Lang Publishing
Spring at Warwick: Birdwatching on campus
Teaching
Undergraduate modules 2024/25
Theatre and Performance in Context
Study Skills for Theatre and Performance
Wildwork: Theatre, Performance and the Natural World
Playwriting
Events and engagement
2025: Organiser, Wild WarwickLink opens in a new window. Covered by BBC Coventry & WarwickshireLink opens in a new window
2024: Core team member, Museum of Climate Stories
2023: Conference organiser, Performing the Fantastic in Contemporary CultureLink opens in a new window, University of Warwick
2019: Organiser and panel chair, “Staging the future”, British Science Festival
Awards
2025: £2000 research grant, Institute of Advanced Study (Wild Warwick)
2024: Highly Commended, Warwick Awards for Teaching Excellence
2023: £1280 research grant, Institute of Advanced Study (Performing Customer Service)
2023: Associate Fellowship, Institute of Advanced Study
2022: Winner, Warwick Awards for Teaching Excellence
2021: Finalist, Warwick Awards for Teaching Excellence
2020: Associate Fellowship, Advance HE