Nathan Keats Ph.D. - Improv and Autism

Nathan Keates is a lecturer, improvisation teacher and performer. Like many of us, Nathan became addicted to improv studying in diverse forms and even clowning. He found that his interests drew him to teaching improv.

Nathan Keats has delved into researching improv, one major project being with autistic people. He is an expert on autistic people, and we discussed the terms that have been use for autistic people that does not honor their individuality.

We spoke several years ago, and I was delighted to connect with him again. He is a Lecturer in Health and Social Care at the University of Sunderland in London. Nathan is involved in research in Applied Social Sciences, Critical Autism Studies, Social and Positive Psychology, Organizational Culture and Improvisation.

He has many research articles on neurodiversity including his recent "Inclusive Improv Pedagogy": keatesresearchblog.wordpress.com/2025/04/…edagogy/

“The Experience of Participating in Improv Comedy for Autistic Adults”: journals.sagepub.com/doi/full/10.11…46330251323154

And his 2017 book is especially worthwhile! "University Improv Comedy Society Manual": www.amazon.co.uk/University-Impro…al/dp/1549662694

You can contact Nathan at: Nathan.keates@sunderland.ac.uk