When Peter Pomerantsev first told me about The Reckoning Project, I had no idea what I was stepping into. The project — founded by Peter and journalist Janine di Giovanni — set out to gather testimonies from Ukrainian survivors of Russia’s invasion, building a body of evidence for future prosecutions. It was a forensic, legal process. But Peter wondered: was there also a way to serve justice faster, or more immediately?

It didn’t happen overnight, but looking back, I can see how Dash Arts’ work has become more and more entwined with academia. What started as the occasional conversation with a scholar has grown into deep, collaborative partnerships that have opened up new dimensions in my own practice as a theatremaker, shaping how I approach storytelling, character, and world-building. These partnerships have helped us push the boundaries of our work, making it more informed, resonant, and collaborative.