Drama at Kent was at the forefront of pioneering Practice as Research and continues to lead the field. Through a PaR PhD students explore and interrogate their research by undertaking practice and producing a performative output, as well as by producing a written dissertation of up to 40,000 words which is examined through a viva. The PhD by PaR provides opportunities to develop and reflect upon their performative practice at the highest academic level and with the benefit of excellent professional facilities and research resources.

At Kent,, students will have a minimum of two supervisors who will support and guide students through their academic and professional development. Students will meet regularly with their supervisor(s) who will not only guide students' research but will also help them to identify areas where they may require further training or support. A series of reviews will take place throughout the duration of studies in order to ensure that students' research stays on track and that they have all the necessary support and resources required to successfully complete it.

Current PhDs reflect diversity, with topics including actor training, autism, East Asian comedy, community theatre, Absurdism, live art, Shakespeare, translation and adaptation, Greek theatre, Grotowski, stand-up, eighteenth-century acting, neurodivergent performance, and accessibility. Recent and ongoing Practice as Research projects include: ‘Selfless Language: Acting Coordination Method Leading to Act of Speech’, ‘Minna Canth from Finnish to English: Feminist Translation of Nineteenth Century Social Realist Drama’, ‘Translating 18th Century Actresses Acting Techniques Into a Modern Performance Context’, and ‘The Burning Method: A Performance-Based Analysis of Jerzy Grotowski’s Book Towards a Poor Theatre’.