ResDance

• ResDance Series 8: Episode 11: Moving Beyond Barriers: Progression and Employment in Dance for Disabled People with Imogen Aujla and Louisa Petts

  ResDance Series 8: Episode 11: Moving Beyond Barriers: Progression and Employment in Dance for DisabledPeople with Imogen Aujla and Louisa Petts.In this episode, Imogen and Louisa share insight into their thinking and considerations around inclusive danceand dance and disability in the sector. Through exploring the work of their research project, looking at the progression and employment in Dance for disabled people (Beyond Barriers in Dance Project), they reflect upon the accessibilityof the research and key findings from the research project. Throughout the episode, we discuss the importance of evidencing the barriers that disabled people experience when working in dance and the role of documenting experiences as ameans of initiating wider discussions, awareness and understanding of what access means in a dance organisation. Imogen and Louisa highlight the value of disabled representation on the research team, the importance of access underpinning a research process and the need for greater network opportunities and collaboration across the sector. Imogen Aujla Imogen is a freelance dance psychology researcher, lecturer,and life and wellbeing coach. She originally trained as a dancer before specialising in dance science and later dance psychology. She has a PhD in dance psychology and a Diploma in Cognitive Behavioural Therapy. Prior to going freelance, Imogen was a Senior Lecturer in Dance and Course Coordinator of the MSc Dance Science at the University of Bedfordshire. As well as her project-based freelance work, she is a regular guest tutor on the MAS Dance Science at the University of Bern, Switzerland, is a peer tutor for the mental health charity Mind. Imogen’s research interests include talent development, inclusive dance, and psychological wellbeing among dancers. She has published over 30 peer-reviewed journal articles and book chapters, and has presented her research internationally. Beyond Barriers in Dance: https://www.beyondbarriersindance.info/Contact details:Facebook: @danceinmindUKInstagram: @dance_in_mind_UKWebsite: www.danceinmind.org Louisa PettsDr Louisa Petts (she/her) is a deaf researcher, lecturer (AFHEA) and community dance artist. She recently completed her PhD at the Centre for Dance Research (C-DaRE), Coventry University (2024) exploring ableism, healthism and ageism within dance for older adults. She received the Arts and Humanities Research Council Studentship Award from Midlands4CitiesDoctoral Training Partnership. Her research centres around person-centred, accessible and empowering creative practice, with a focus on ethics, positionality and methodological clarity. Her work also draws from her community dance practice with people living with dementia and Parkinson’s. Currently, she is working on funded project Barriers to Progression &Employment in Dance for Disabled People (Arts Council England), appointed by Candoco Dance Company, Corali, People Dancing, Stopgap Dance Company and TINArts, to address the lack of representation and leadership opportunities for D/deaf, disabled, neurodivergent, blind and visually impaired, learning-disabled, and chronically ill individuals within the dance sector. She also works as Editorial Manager for the Journal of Dance and Somatic Practicesand Research, Impact and Innovation Officer at LAMDA.Contact details: Email: [email protected] Social Media:Instagram: lou_pettsLink to any published resources:LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/louisa-petts-1702Please share this episode with students, educators, practitioners, performers, and interdisciplinary researchers curious to learn more about dance research inaction.     

  --------  

  37:56

  --------

  37:56
• ResDance Series 8: Episode 12: NEUROLIVE: An interdisciplinary study of liveness with Guido Orgs and Matthias Sperling

  ResDance Series 8: Episode 12: NEUROLIVE: An interdisciplinary study of liveness with Guido Orgsand Matthias SperlingIn this episode, Guido and Matthias discuss NEUROLIVE, a 5-year interdisciplinary research collaboration that brings artists, scientists and audiences together to study what makes live experiences special.  We explore how the bringing together of performance making and cognitive performance science has shared insight into how such collaborations can questionliveness and the distinctiveness of live performance, more generally.  Guido and Matthias highlight the value of artistic and scientific disciplines being fully realised in collaborative contexts and wider considerations around the role of dance practices and knowledge in contributing to developments in other fields. Guido OrgsGuido Orgs is a Professor in Cognitive Neuroscience and Group Leader of the Movement & Performance Group at the Institute of Cognitive Neuroscience at UCL, and also has a background as a dancer. He is the Principal Investigator and Scientific Director of NEUROLIVE.Contact DetailsEmail: [email protected] SperlingMatthias Sperling is an artist, choreographer and performer. His work investigates knowledge-generation in dance and choreographic practice as an embodied process of conjuring. He is Co-investigator and Artistic Director of NEUROLIVE.Contact DetailsEmail: [email protected] MediaInstagram: @matthias_sperlingNeurolive NEUROLIVE is a 5-year interdisciplinary research collaborationthat brings artists, scientists and audiences together to study what makes live experiences special. Funded by the European Research Council, the project is a collaboration between University College London, Goldsmiths University, the MaxPlanck Institute for Empirical Aesthetics and Siobhan Davies Studios.Website: neurolive.infoInstagram: @neurolivenessPublished Sources Rai, L., Lee, H., Becke, E., Trenado, C., Abad-Hernando, S., Sperling, M., Vidaurre, D., Wald-Fuhrmann, M., Richardson, D., Ward, J., Orgs, G (2025). Delta-band inter-brain synchrony reflects collective audience engagement withlive dance performances. iScience. Available at: https://www.cell.com/iscience/fulltext/S2589-0042(25)01183-6 Lee, H., Ashwell, C., Sperling, M., Rai, L., & Orgs, G. (2025). Engaged and confused: Aesthetic appreciation of live andscreened contemporary dance. Psychology of Aesthetics, Creativity and the Arts. Available at: https://doi.org/10.1037/aca0000727Please share this episode with students, educators, practitioners, performers, andinterdisciplinary researchers curious to learn more about dance research in action.     

  --------  

  1:15:01

  --------

  1:15:01
• AHRC-funded Dance Research Matters Network Series: Episode 6: Reflections and Considerations on the Dance Research Matters Networks Programme with Vipavinee Artpradid and Helen Weedon

  AHRC-funded Dance Research Matters Network Series: Episode 6: Reflections and Considerations on the Dance Research Matters Networks Programme with Vipavinee Artpradid and Helen WeedonIn this episode, Vipavinee and Helen reflect upon the five AHRC-funded Dance Research Matters Networks and the wider incentive for the Dance Research Matters campaign. They share insight into the rich connections and relationships formed throughout the networks and the effectivenessof the networks programme working closely with funders and the wider sector to welcome those both within and outside of the dance field. Alongside considering the ways in which dance research can be more visible in the UK, we discuss the needfor those in the sector to find new approaches to working and remind listeners of the value of dance research and the need to continue to foster new connections, create opportunities and to keep the conversation open. Contributor Bibliographies: Vipavinee Artpradid Vip’s research applies embodied and inclusive qualitative research methodologies for social change and draws from her background in media anthropology, social anthropology, and cultural studies. She is currently leading funded projects on mapping and evaluating the AHRC Dance ResearchMatters Networks (AHRC AH/Y002105/1) and collaborating with FRONTLINEdance to develop embodied phenomenography for inclusive dance programme evaluation(British Academy SRG2324 089). Her PhD (2020) applied phenomenography to dance audience engagement to explore variations in ways of understanding disability. She has written on integration and inclusion in dance (2022), embodied hearing technologies (2022), and kinaesthetic empathicwitnessing (2023). Vip is an Assistant Professor at the Centre for Dance Research (C-DaRE), Coventry University.Contributor Bibliographies: Helen WeedonHelen is a Senior Investment Manager at the Arts and Humanities Research Council in the Creative Industries Team where she has responsibility for the arts disciplines, including dance, as well as the Creative Industries Clusters Programme. Having studied Performance Arts at Middlesex University andgained a PGCE from De Monfort University Helen spent her early career teaching dance and performing arts in schools and FE colleges. She then moved into local government arts and cultural services where she managed and commissionedtheatres, galleries, museums and festivals, supporting artistic and audience development and engagement. Following a brief stint with the Stonehenge and Avebury World Heritage Site Partnership Unit Helen joined AHRC in 2019. Helen is also Co-Chair of the UKRI Staff Carers Network.AHRC-funded Dance Research Matters Networks The five AHRC-funded Dance Research Matters Networks explore current issues and generate change and legacy for thesector. The ecosystems created by the Networks traverse across South Asian dance, digital black dance, future producing dance ecologies, critical dance pedagogies, and pluriversal dance practices and will be mapped for reach andimpact in and beyond the sector.For more information, please visit: danceresearchmatters.coventry.ac.ukInstagram and Twitter: @danceresearchmatters Please share this episode with students, educators, practitioners, performers, andinterdisciplinary researchers curious to learn more about dance research in action.

  --------  

  37:44

  --------

  37:44
• ResDance Series 8: Episode 10: Inclusive Dance and Empowerment: Voices from Opening Doors Malta with Angela Bettoni and Sara Accettura

  ResDance Series 8: Episode 10: Inclusive Dance and Empowerment: Voices from Opening Doors Malta with Angela Bettoni and Sara AccetturaIn this episode, Angela and Sara share insight into their experiences as educators, practitioners, researchers and advocates for inclusive practice. Situated around their workwith Opening Doors, an arts organisation in Malta that works for the active involvement of adults with intellectual disabilities in the artistic sector, we explore what ‘inclusivity’ means in their own artistic practice and experiences within the sector.  We explore the importance of open dialogue in fostering opportunities for collaboration, the need for societal change in the perception of inclusive arts and the wider role of dance and the moving body as a non-verbal form of communication. Throughout the episode, they celebrate an openness to inclusion and working alongside everyone, advocating that dance is accessible for all.  https://openingdoors.org.mt/  Angela BettoniBorn in 2001, Angela is a writer, performer and advocate with Down Syndrome. Angela has been living in Maltasince 2013 and has a Sri Lankan mother and Italian Father. Angela has just finished her BA in Creative Arts at MCAST, where she previously received her Advanced Diploma in Performing Arts. Angela is a passionate advocate forinclusion in the performing arts in Malta. She became Malta’s first TV presenter with Down Syndrome when she co-presented a 10-minute programme (Action!) on TV Malta in 2022. In 2023, she collaborated with the MindAdventures Theatre Company in Sri Lanka, performing “Heart”, a mixed-ability duet to a monologue she had written. This summer (2024), she performed a mixed-ability duet called BALM at Dance Festival Malta and at the Venere inTeatro Festival in Venice. Angela has been an Executive Committee Member of the Commonwealth Children and Youth Disability Network (2021- 22) and is a member of the Young People's Disability Rights Forum in Malta (2021-2024). In December 2022, Angela received a JCI Malta Ten Outstanding Young Persons (TOYP) award for her advocacy work.Contact details: Website: www.angelabettoni.net  Social Media:Instagram - @angelabettoni18   YouTube - Angela Bettoni Down SyndromeAdvocate  X- @Angie_DownSyn   -Facebook: Angela BettoniSara Accettura Sara Accettura is an educator, practitioner, and researcher with a PhD in Inclusive Dance and Autism (University of Bedfordshire). Her work focuses on creating accessible andempowering environments for neurodiverse individuals. Originally from Italy, Sara holds a Diploma for Dance Teachers and an MA in Choreography, as well as a first-class BA (Hons) and MA in Performance from London Contemporary DanceSchool (University of Kent). She has performed and choreographed for several European dance companies, with her choreographic works receiving international recognition and awards. Sara also teaches internationally. She is the artisticdirector of Junior Dance Company (Bari and Malta), Dance Master Class, and the inclusive project Dance For All. She lectures at the University of Malta in the Dance Studies and Disability Studies departments. Additionally, she is a boardmember and dance leader with Opening Doors Association Malta, promoting access to the arts for adults with intellectual disabilities.Contact details:Email: [email protected]: https://www.facebook.com/sara.accettura1/Social media:https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100079289806203 (Dance For All Project)Other sources:Accettura, S. (2023) ‘L'incontro tra danza e autismo: un'indagine qualitativa presentata attraverso l'uso di vignette’ in P. Grassi and R. Zammit Bioethics and the paradox of appearance: fragility, dependence, disability in the various phasesof life. Rome: Armando Editore, pp.703-720. The JD Dragon Disability Rights Podcast: (https://open.spotify.com/episode/1S6uurALuEXCbVXHHnO34G?si=mwK7WKONStytfQlJQ2AE2w)

  --------  

  48:39

  --------

  48:39
• ResDance Series 8: Episode 9: Choreography, Questions and Relationality with Nic Conibere

  ResDance Series 8: Episode 9: Choreography, Questions and Relationality with Nic Conibere In this episode, Nic shares insight into her choreographic processes and on the theoretical ideas, frameworks andenvironments that more widely inform her practice-based research. Alongside sharing her processes for creating work, Nic draws upon her own formative experiences and encounters with choreography.  Throughout the episode, we explore  ideas around the body and spaces of exchange and ways of being curious and seeking out where relationality can be found.  Nicola Conibere is a choreographer and Programme Leader for the MFA Choreography at the University of Roehampton. Her work explores the politics of bodies, performance and the potentials of the choreographic.Headshot photographer: Christa Holka. Contact Details Email: [email protected] Website: www.nicolaconibere.com Staff Profile Link: https://pure.roehampton.ac.uk/portal/en/persons/nicola-conibere    Published Resourceswww.nicolaconibere.com Please share this episode with students, educators, practitioners, performers, and interdisciplinary researchers curious to learn more about dance research inaction.

  --------  

  45:09

  --------

  45:09

More Arts podcasts

Trending Arts podcasts

About ResDance