Anything Goes

What does it mean to bear witness when the witness has been told their story doesn't matter?In this episode of Anything Goes, we sit down with Alejandro Martínez Guerrero, a PhD researcher in the Warwick Writing Programme. His work sits at a searing intersection: the Mexican drug war, queer survivors of violence, and the creation of a graphic novel.We talk about what it takes to listen to testimonies that have been silenced—stories of state and criminal violence that are often too painful, too stigmatised, or too complex to tell. Alejandro shares how he navigates the space between testimony and fiction, why he turned to illustration as a form of witnessing, and what queer narrative strategies can teach us about surviving—and telling—the truth.A conversation about the stories that refuse to disappear, the bodies that keep memory, and what universities owe to those who have been left out of the frame.

What does it mean to pursue a PhD while also navigating questions of identity, belonging, and different perspectives within academia?In this episode of Anything Goes, we speak with PhD researchers--wanying, yuxuan and Ogohi from SCAPVC about their research journey and their experience of doctoral life. Together, they share their research topic, the conversation explores how personal background, identity, and previous experiences can shape the way PhD study is experienced and understood. We also discuss what inspired them to pursue this research and the different ways SCAPVC has supported them along the way. From academic guidance and supervision to peer networks and everyday encouragement, the episode reflects on the kinds of support that have been most meaningful during the PhD journey.This is a conversation about research, identity, and the realities of doctoral study, as well as what it means to build a more inclusive and supportive university environment.

What does it feel like to walk into a lecture hall when you've already spent years behind the camera?In this episode of Anything Goes, we sit down with Annabel Spinks-Jones, a film student at Warwick and an action performer with years of industry experience. After building a career on set, she made the unusual choice to return to university as an undergraduate. Here, she shares what that transition has felt like: the moments of connection with younger classmates, the lectures that still surprise her, and the times when her hard-won experience has felt seen—or invisible.This is a conversation about learning twice, the wisdom of coming back, and what universities can learn from those who return.

In this episode of Anything Goes, we sit down with two of Warwick's MA students in Applied Theatre: Alexandra Draghici and Leila Mu'ammar. Together, they reflect on how the programme shaped their understanding of what it means to create inclusive spaces with and for marginalised communities.From navigating the ethics of working with vulnerable groups, to moments of unexpected connection in a workshop, they share the stories that stayed with them—and the questions that still unsettle them. This is a conversation about the theatre we make, the people we become, and the slow, messy work of real change.

What does it mean to truly belong—on stage, and off?In this episode of Anything Goes, we sit down with three third-year Theatre and Performance students—Ethan Farmer, Annie Bagshaw, and Max Green—who are taking the University's groundbreaking "Drama Healing" module. Together, they share how this course has become an unexpected space for vulnerability, connection, and self-discovery.From drama games to interdisciplinary engagement with complex psychological disciplines, the conversation reflects on how drama healing reshapes not only performance techniques but also fundamental ways of relating to others. Crucially, this inclusive pedagogical approach lays a more diverse foundation for students’ professional development.The dialogue opens a window onto the theme of inclusive education by exploring scenes typically hidden behind the stage—alongside the courageous practice of seeking belonging.