Department of Theatre Arts Launches Colloquium to Promote Drama-Based Learning
The Department of Theatre Arts at the University of Education, Winneba (UEW) launched its inaugural departmental colloquium to strengthen research, deepen intellectual exchange and advance drama as a transformative tool in education.
Under the theme “Drama to the Rescue: The Imperative of Drama Strategies in Education,” the colloquium brought together faculty, students and international collaborators to examine how drama pedagogy can enhance teaching, learning, literacy and social development. The event, aligned with UEW’s commitment to academic excellence and research-driven solutions, took place at the Central Campus Conference Room on Tuesday, 24th February 2026.
Prof. Ernest Kwasi Amponsah, the Head of the Department, welcomed participants and described the colloquium as a strategic platform for scholarly dialogue and research dissemination. He announced that the department plans to hold the colloquium at least twice a semester, providing opportunities for faculty and students to present their research and engage in constructive critique.
Additionally, he revealed plans to publish outstanding presentations as book chapters and other scholarly outputs to enhance the department’s profile. He also commended the Dean of the School of Creative Arts for supporting academic initiatives.
Prof. Emmanuel Obed Acquah, the Dean of the School of Creative Arts, chaired the event and emphasised that academic colloquia strengthen intellectual authority and professional development. He argued that drama forms a foundational element in education, not a supplement and that strategies such as role play, simulations and embodiment actively engage students, transforming them into creators of knowledge.
He highlighted that drama-based teaching equips students with 21st-century competencies including communication, collaboration, critical thinking and problem-solving, and urged the colloquium to evolve into a continuous platform that produces research, informs practice and influences policy in the African educational context.
The keynote speaker, Prof. Winnie-Karen Giera of the University of Potsdam, Germany, presented “Everyone is Playing: A Participatory Theatre Project to Promote Reading Skills.” Drawing on more than 14 theatre projects in schools and communities, she demonstrated how participatory theatre builds reading comprehension, confidence and collaboration, particularly among disadvantaged learners.
She explained that design-based research in drama education allows educators to refine teaching strategies through observation, implementation and evaluation. She stressed collaboration between academics and practitioners to create inclusive learning environments.
Heads of Music Education, Art Education, Graphic Design, Textiles and Fashion Education, and the Centre for Research, Culture and Creative Arts delivered goodwill messages, reaffirming their commitment to the initiative and its alignment with UEW’s mission to advance research, teaching and community engagement. In a joint reflection, senior faculty highlighted the importance of collaborative academic platforms in advancing research, pedagogy and professional development while reinforcing drama’s central role in educational transformation.
Participants engaged actively in discussions and knowledge-sharing sessions, reflecting UEW’s dedication to fostering a vibrant research culture. The launch of the departmental colloquium marks a significant milestone in promoting innovation and intellectual engagement within the creative arts and positions the Theatre Arts Colloquium to shape the future of drama education and expand scholarly enquiry at UEW.
