Routledge Award
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Routledge Award honours groundbreaking research by PhD student
Tuesday, 20 January, 2026Bath Spa University PhD student and former lecturer, Michael Budmani, recently received the Routledge Award in recognition of his research.
His paper, titled 'What is Tertiary Theatre Production Education (TPE) in the Post-Humanist Digital World? How Might It Meet the Needs of Stakeholders in the Evolving Theatre-Making Industry?’ was presented at the World Stage Design symposium 2025, in Sharjah, UAE, and left a strong impression.
The first and only designer-based exhibition to showcase and celebrate performance design from individual designers, the World Stage Design has marked a significant milestone in Michael’s research, which aims to suggest new and updated approaches to teaching theatre production that better reflect the needs of contemporary students.
His research, which he has been completing under the oversight of his supervisor, Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Kyriaki Anagnostopoulou, examined the title question, serving as a point of emphasis and a catalyst for further research.
BSU is a familiar stomping ground to Michael, who worked his first full-time academic role between 2008 and 2016, following an extensive career as a stage manager, spending eight years as a Subject Leader for BA Theatre Production. While in post at the University, he also completed an MA in Professional Practice in Higher Education.
Michael describes his time at BSU as a period of intellectual stimulation and positivity, supported by a research culture that valued critical enquiry, interdisciplinarity, and reflective practice.
Discussing his time at the University, Michael said:
“I am incredibly proud of how the course grew and developed during my time at BSU and am thrilled to observe from a distance that it has gone on to even greater heights.
“The best barometer of the standard of the course was the students and graduates – driven, passionate, highly skilled and emotionally intelligent collaborators – many of whom are pulling up trees in the theatre industry today.”
The Routledge Award signifies a landmark moment for Michael. Reflecting on the high standard of the papers, Michael’s research stood out, resonating and engaging the audience and giving him newfound confidence in his work. He said:
“I am incredibly humbled to be the recipient of this award, which is a lovely landmark for me for several reasons. Though we do not like to admit it, practitioner academics often suffer from imposter syndrome, so that particular internal voice has been silenced!”
“I knew that what I was talking about had resonated in the room, based on the questions that I got from the audience. Afterwards, I had senior academics sidling up to me, telling me that my work had resonated with them and was equally relevant within other performing arts disciplines. This has given me such renewed confidence in my research.”
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