Join The National Fairground and Circus Archive for a one-day symposium on women in circus on Wednesday 5 August 2026.

About the event

The symposium will celebrate the role of women in circus through history. Discuss the complex role they have played in its development through performance, promotion and management, including their successes, challenges, achievements and impact on the sector.

How has the role of women evolved over its long history? Who were the trailblazers, and what is their legacy in contemporary practices? What specific challenges do women experience in the sector? How does gender define women’s careers and performance genre?

Academics, independent researchers and practitioners with lived experience are welcomed to submit papers for 20 minute presentations (including questions). Please feel free to submit a paper on any topic related to the theme of the symposium.

We look forward to receiving your proposal!

Suggested topics:

-Remarkable performers
-Women breaking the mould
-The historical context and the role of women in the development of circus
-Women’s legacy in circus
-Feminism in the circus context
-Physical performance and body image
-Women shaping performance
-The challenges and opportunities for women in circus

Submission guidelines

-Abstract/Summary (maximum 300 words)
-Short biography (maximum 200 words)

Please note, all presenters are required to attend in-person.

Submission deadline: Monday 23 March

The papers will be reviewed and selected by a panel of members of the organising committee. Decisions on proposals will be sent by Monday 11 May.

For enquiries related to the Symposium, please contact: Arantza Barrutia a.barrutia-wood@sheffield.ac.uk with the subject line Women in Circus Symposium 2026

Please submit your proposal via this link: tinyurl.com/WomenInCircusPapers