Series 3, Episode 3: Dr Sylvan Baker

On our third episode of Series 3, we’re joined by Dr Sylvan Baker to discuss his recent appearance on the BBC’S Small Axe: the Podcast, which focused on his experience of growing up in the British care system. We discuss how these experiences have shaped Sylvan’s work and research, both inside and outside of Central, including his support for care leaver students.  

We also chat about Sylvan’s work with the Verbatim Formula, which he co-founded with Dr Maggie Inchley, a Senior Lecturer at Queen Mary University of London. The Verbatim Formula is a collaborative participatory arts project that has developed verbatim theatre techniques to share the voices of care experienced young people, care leavers and adults responsible for their care and education.

Dr Sylvan Baker is an artist and an academic, a practitioner and researcher working across the fields of applied theatre, socially engaged arts and social justice for the past 30 years.  At Central, he is a Lecturer in Community Performance and Applied Theatre, teaching on the Drama, Applied Theatre and Education (DATE), BA and Applied Theatre, MA courses. Beyond Central, his practice has taken place across the UK and globally in sites in Brazil, the USA, in a diverse range of contexts and communities, and has a specific interest in international interventions in sites of conflict and transitional justice.

We’re also joined by Isabelle Kirkham and Sophie Scarlett, final year BA Contemporary Performance Practice students who tell us more about their project with Action for Children, ‘My Time in Care’.

And Central’s Access and Participation Manager Victoria Edwards provides more information about Central’s Care Leaver Support Scheme, which she oversees.

More information on Sylvan’s work can be found by visiting the website for The Verbatim Formula.  You can also listen to Sylvan’s interview with Ashley John-Baptiste on the BBC’s Small Axe: The Podcast or read the accompanying feature on the BBC Website, ‘Home and Safety: what the Covid-19 pandemic reminds us about a life in care’.

**You can access a Dyslexia-friendly transcript of this episode below**