A Methods Fair Workshop with Pete Carruthers, PhD student, University of Central Lancashire (UCLan)
Pete is a professional writer, actor, director and producer with 15 years’ experience using short films and theatre within the training of health professionals, with particular focus on increasing understanding and empathy around mental health, trauma and neurodiversity.
He is also a PhD student at University of Central Lancashire (UCLan) and is currently working with several universities from across the country to co-develop a new theatre and film based simulated practice learning package for student nurses.
The Workshop
During the first hour of the workshop, Pete will:
- Screen a selection of his film and theatre work.
- Explain briefly how he uses film and theatre within the training of health professionals.
- Describe how he has attempted to bring his creative skills and experience into his new role as a postgraduate researcher.
- Share his experience of imposter syndrome, both as an artist and as a researcher.
The final 30 minutes of the workshop will be a Q&A discussion, where attendees can share their own experiences and ask Pete questions about anything he’s shared in the first hour.
As part of this workshop, Pete will present two films
- A screening of his award-winning short film ‘Fallout’ (10 mins)
- A filmed scene (18 mins) from his latest play ‘The Possibility of Colour’.
Fallout
This is a ten minute short film about a day in the life of a veteran living with complex PTSD. This film has been used in the UK, USA, Canada, Netherlands, Uganda, Australia, UAE and Saudi Arabia to train mental health professionals and volunteers about the reality of living with PTSD. It was recently used to train crisis teams ahead of the new NHS OpCourage rollout.
You can learn more about the film and watch a short trailer.
Content warning: The film explores themes that some people may find distressing, including self-harm, alcohol abuse, intrusive images and war crimes (execution). If you are in any doubt about attending the workshop because of this, please feel free to contact Pete directly for a more detailed description of the content (PJCarruthers@uclan.ac.uk).
The Possibility of Colour
'For many, the Implant is an irresistible guarantee of eternal happiness; a life without suffering. For others though, it’s a terrifying instrument of control, stripping them of what it means to be human, and increasingly forced upon a growing number of 'compulsory recipients'.
Designed by the AI-controlled 'Vigil' Corporation, the Implant is a new miracle device that promises to cure all mental illness.
Will Joseph, his sister Aisling, or his best friend Helen, be able to decide which of them, if any, should have the Implant?
And with the ever-looming presence of Vigil, do they even have a choice? Who is ‘normal’? Who gets to decide?'
Learn more about the play and watch a short trailer.
Content warning: The scene we will be sharing during the workshop explores themes that some people may find distressing, including themes of forced treatment, restraint and references to childhood trauma. If you are in any doubt about attending the workshop because of this, please feel free to contact Pete directly for a more detailed description of the content (PJCarruthers@uclan.ac.uk).
Imposter Syndrome
Pete has shared a blog post on his experience of imposter syndrome in advance of the workshop, where he openly explores his recurring feelings of inadequacy as an academic and artist.
You can read Pete's blog post here.