Class of 2025: Natasha Richards-Crisp

Natasha Richards-Crisp is the first in her family to go to university. She leaves Essex not only with a PhD in Theatre but also as a role model for her two young children, born during her studies.

“The opportunity to undertake a funded scholarship and be part of a university with a reputation for critical and creative thinking” drew Natasha to Essex.

With undergraduate and Masters degrees already under her belt from the University of Sheffield and the Royal Central School of Speech and Drama, she was inspired to do a PhD after spending time as an actor and teacher in New Zealand.

“I witnessed theatre’s potential to support young people’s sexual health and well-being. This sparked my desire to research this creative approach further in a UK context,” she said.

“I wanted to make a positive difference in the lives of young people and to contribute to the academic understanding of theatre’s role in social change,” she added.

She completed her thesis on how applied theatre can be used in the teaching of relationships and sex education in UK schools. She is thankful for the support from her two supervisors Dr Annecy Lax, who she describes as “a powerhouse of knowledge, care, and passion”, and Dr Nora Williams “who bought dedication, expertise and focus at a crucial turning point in the journey.”

As a dyslexic student, Natasha found one-to-one academic support invaluable but also “thrived in collaborative research events” and cites the “unwavering dedication, support, and expertise” of her supervisory team for helping her succeed.

Her biggest challenge however was juggling her studies with a growing young family, something she says was made possible because of her “greatest support”, her husband, as well as her department where she felt “valued and safe.”

With a two-year-old at home, born during her research, Natasha gave birth to her second child just days after her PhD corrections were approved. Although challenging, she says her experiences of motherhood “deepened and shaped my research in profound ways. It sharpened my ability to identify what really matters and strengthened my resolve to improve young people’s wellbeing.”

Natasha hopes she’ll be an inspiration for her children when they grow up.

Speaking about the most memorable thing about her time at Essex, Natasha points to her friendships with fellow researchers “whose inspiration and laughter sustained me through the most challenging moments”.

She also leaves an indelible mark herself on her fellow research students. She was co-founder of a support and discussion group in the Department of Literature, Film, and Theatre Studies while also serving as a student representative running events like writing sessions and wellbeing workshops.

Summing up her time at Essex, she said: “There’s a fire in the belly of everyone at Essex, a drive to improve themselves and the world. In my department, the creativity was both inspiring and demanding, pushing me to refine my craft and develop my expertise. It was a true privilege to be part of that community.”