Chairholder
Larry O' Farrell is Professor of drama and arts education at Queen's University. A graduate of Queen's University, Arizona State University and the National Theatre School of Canada, he has published extensively on various aspects of drama and arts education and has presented keynote addresses, papers and workshops at many national and international conferences. Professor O'Farrell served for eight years as Coordinator of Continuing Teacher Education at Queen’s. His work in distance education included extensive experience in the development of e-learning for teachers and e-training for industrial application. He has led major curriculum development initiatives for the Ontario Ministry of Education. He was an active participant in a Canada-wide advocacy initiative, Arts and Learning: A Call to Action. Specific areas of research interest include case studies of drama/theatre and education, drama education for peace culture, teaching playwriting, ritual in drama education and arts curriculum policy. His latest book is Issues in Arts Education in Latin America (co-editor) which was published in 2004.
Professor O’Farrell brings to the Chair extensive experience in the development of international networks and capacity building. He completed two terms as President of IDEA, the International Drama/Theatre and Education Association, and has been elected to the executive committees of other regional, national and international associations. As President of IDEA, he led a multi-national team of elected officers from both the northern and southern hemispheres to support the work of drama/theatre teachers and artist-educators around the globe. He has continued his commitment to the association as President of the Accountancy Committee. With member associations representing more than 60 countries around the globe, IDEA aims to promote and advocate drama/theatre as part of a full human education and to provide an international forum for those working as drama/theatre educators throughout the world. IDEA's ongoing activities include publications, projects, international congresses and meetings, the dissemination of research and the international exchange of drama/theatre workers. Previous world congresses have been held in Portugal, Australia, Kenya, Norway and Canada. Upcoming congresses will be held in Hong Kong in 2007 and in Brazil in 2010.
Professor O’Farrell has also participated extensively in UNESCO sponsored events. He contributed to 4 of the 6 UNESCO regional meetings of experts in the arts and education (Brazil, Fiji, Finland and Hong Kong). His paper (co-author) on Arts Education and Instrumental Outcomes was commissioned by UNESCO as a focal point for the meeting in Hong Kong. He has also participated in advisory meetings held by the Canadian Commission for UNESCO in preparation for the World Conference in Arts and Education. He presented a paper at the World Conference and has taken part in meetings, projects and symposia after the conference with a view to planning ways to extend the impact of this seminal event.