Dr Kristina Nilles, BFA MA PhD

Kristina holds a BFA in Musical Theatre (Boston Conservatory of Music), an MA in Educational Theatre in Colleges and Communities (New York University), an MA in Museum and Gallery Education (Institute of Education), and a PhD in Arts and Creative Industries (London South Bank University). Her PhD research was in collaboration with Lyric Hammersmith Theatre, working with staff and participants to articulate the impact of participatory arts programmes with underrepresented young people and the need of holistic and participant centric approaches to evaluating engagement. Prior to joining Queen Mary, she was a Research Fellow at London South Bank University.

Kristina’s research interests are in the field of creative and cultural engagement, youth voice, creative industries workforce development, understanding cultural value, and holistic models of evaluating arts engagement. In addition to her academic work, Kristina holds over 20 years of experience working in and collaborating with the creative and cultural sector. She has a passion for working with young people and embedding youth voice into her work. In addition to her research, she works as an evaluation consultant in the creative sector.

BFA in Musical Theatre (Boston Conservatory of Music)

MA:
MA in Educational Theatre in Colleges and Communities (New York University)
MA in Museum and Gallery Education (Institute of Education)

PhD:
PhD in Arts and Creative Industries (London South Bank University)

My research is predominately within the creative and cultural sector and explores access to the sector and sustainability. 

My current research examines the current and emerging skills gaps within the creative industries, with a focus on technical theatre, film and television production, and creative writing and publishing. The research considers London wide sector-led initiatives to address skills gaps both at entry level and mid-career and how higher education can play an active role in ensuring the talent pipeline is fully supported. The research additionally explores diversity within the sector and systemic change to ensure a diverse and well supported workforce. 

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As an extension of my PhD research, I continue to research evaluation models and use of creative methods to place participant voice as paramount in the evaluation process. I consider individuals understanding of change within their own lives as critical to long-term change, and place value in storytelling methods wherein participant voice is held and narrated in their own terms. 

2023        Spoons, Feathers and Mandazzi: Exploring Creative Research Methods with Parents of Children with Additional                                          Needs, International Creative Research Methods Conference, Manchester  

2020        Negotiating Voices: Towards Holistic Impact Evaluation of Lyric Hammersmith Theatre’s START Programme, Creative Minds:                       Exploring the Relationship between Theatre-makers and Research Conference, University of Oxford

2018    Beyond the anecdotal: using research-based theatre to interrogate impact of participation at Lyric Hammersmith, Children,                  Youth and Performance Conference, Toronto, Canada

2024    Mapping creative and cultural opportunity in Enfield, Enfield Council, London

2023    COLLABORATE: Improving Access to Creative Research in collaboration with Parents of Children with Additional Needs, London South Bank University, London