Peter O’Connor is Professor of Education and Director of the Centre for Arts and Social Transformation at the University of Auckland.

Having first established the study of applied theatre in New Zealand he extended that into arts-based research projects around the globe. In 2020 he established the Centre for Arts and Social Transformation (CAST) at the University of Auckland where he leads a cross disciplinary team in national and international arts based research projects. O'Connor focuses on creating and investigating arts projects in a wide range of contexts, including prisons, schools, and disaster zones. He leads CAST projects that tackle social issues such as racism, the rise of populism, as well as youth and child mental health and stigma associated with mental illness.

O'Connor spearheads transdisciplinary research initiatives that foster collaborations between artists, academics, non-governmental organizations (NGOs), and government departments. Their aim is to explore how the arts can contribute to solving complex and persistent problems. Peter is an internationally recognised expert in making and researching applied theatre and drama education. In 2023 he was elected a Fellow of the Royal Society of New Zealand (FRSNZ).

Peter O'Connor Blog

Twelve Questions with Professor Peter O'Connor