Caleb Lee

I am an academic and cultural mediator working at the intersection of the arts and young people. As a recipient of the National Arts Council scholarship, I completed my doctorate at Royal Holloway University of London, specialising in Theatre for Young Audiences (TYA). My work focuses on the creative industries, participatory practices, improving young people’s health and well-being, drawing on artistic practices from diverse parts of the world. I am currently Lecturer (Creative Producing) in the drama department at the University of Exeter. Alongside this, I am Co-Artistic Director of Five Stones Theatre – an international collective creating dance and theatrical experiences for children and young people that are ‘a little different’. Prior to this, I was Creative Youth Work Researcher at Spotlight Creative Youth Services, in partnership with Queen Mary University of London, where I designed and led an Arts Council funded project that focused on increasing inclusivity and relevance for young people accessing cultural provision. From 2018-2021, I was Associate Researcher at Rose Bruford College Theatre for Young Audience Centre. And from 2009-2017, I was Lecturer in the School of Dance and Theatre, LASALLE College of the Arts. Alongside my academic career, I have over a decade of leadership experience in the creative industries, working extensively with many local and international companies. Notably, I was the Festival Manager (2010–2014) for I Theatre’s ACE! Festival – A performing arts festival dedicated to children and their families, and later took on the role of Associate Director (2015–2019), in which I fostered partnerships with cultural organisations from Thailand, Hong Kong, China, Serbia, Canada, Japan, UK, Australia and The Philippines. In the professional sector, I serve on the Advisory Council and Artistic Working Group at Polka Theatre (UK), as Visiting Fellow for Zinc Venture Builder (focusing on improving children's health and wellbeing) and as Associate Researcher of the International Inclusive Arts Network (IIAN). I am also lead researcher and member of the Asian TYA Network.