Dr Kevin Purcell is Australia's official voting delegate to a world commission tasked with defining the parameters of research in relation to performing arts practice.

The Central Queensland University academic will travel to Finland in June to attend a range of key events arranged by OISTAT (the International Organisation of Scenographers, Theatre Architects and Technicians).

Kevin Purcell

He said he was honoured to be chosen to help pin down what until now has been an elusive definition at a world level, in order to influence research funding parameters in Australia.

Decisions made at the OISTAT event will inform the new Excellence for Research in Australia (ERA) system, which is due to replace the stillborn Research Quality Framework (RQF).

The first OISTAT event that Dr Purcell will attend is the Education Commission and History and Theory Commision joint meeting and conference in Helsinki from June 5-9.

He will travel on to Sweden to another OISTAT event (June 13-17) focused on the interaction between Scenography and Theatre Architecture. The intention is to explore the architectural motifs and goals when designing spaces for performing arts and the scenographer's demands and expectations of the space in order to support dramatic interaction.

The Swedish leg of Dr Purcell's commitments will include participation in a Sound Working Group and a series of design workshops to the west of Stockholm, coinciding with a Midsummer Night Celebration, Exhibition, Costume Parade and Light Installation. He will also attend the premiere performance of a new theatre production called Banished.

Dr Purcell is the new Professor and Director of Music & Performing Arts at Central Queensland University.