Mapping the Dance Research Ecosystem: Dance Research Matters Network Mapping, Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning
Lead Research Organisation:
COVENTRY UNIVERSITY
Department Name: Centre for Dance Research
Abstract
The Dance Research Matters (DRM) ecosystem is a meshwork of AHRC-funded DRM Networks (hereafter 'Networks') connecting researchers, academic institutions, professional industry organisations, community groups, independent practitioners and organisations connected to dance research and practice.
The project 'Mapping the Dance Research Ecosystem' maps the system created by the funded Networks and monitors and evaluates their impact. It also facilitates knowledge exchange between the Networks and stakeholders, disseminates progress and results, and provides recommendations for the AHRC and the dance research sector for future direction and strategy.
It should be noted that the Networks are not fully representative of the entire dance research ecosystem. However, it will contribute to better understanding of the wider dance research ecosystem, the role of the AHRC funded Networks in the larger ecosystem, and the changes the Networks create in other academic disciplines and beyond academia.
The project is composed of three Work Packages (WPs). These are the Mapping WP, the Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning (or 'MEL') WP, and a WP that provides research and policy recommendations for the AHRC and dance sector.
The project begins in October 2023, and an interim report will be distributed in July 2024. A final report for the AHRC, DRM Networks, and dance sector will be shared in March 2025.
The AHRC DRM Network Advisory Group will provide independent checks and balances and advise on the work.
There will be five opportunities for the Networks to meet-up. Each Network is invited to host a 'Meet-up' event in a format of their choice. To ensure long-term impact, the Meet-ups will be open to the wider research community to promote further links beyond the funded networks.
Three data collection strands will all feed into the WPs. They are the Domain strand (DO), the Network strand (NW), and the Diversity Data strand (DD). The work in the Domain strand is about collecting information that is already there and analysing it based on a set of 'domains'. These domains are: Spatial (how and where dance research happens), Area Intersections: how and where dance research intersects with other areas of dance, Interdisciplinarity (how and where dance research intersects with other research disciplines), Impact of practice-based research, Career landscape for dance researchers, and Linguistic (language used by dance research community).
The second strand is the Network strand, which focuses on monitoring, evaluating, and learning about the impact of the Network. Three times across the 18 months of the project, each Network will complete a questionnaire that looks at the Network's impact. The latter is informed by the UKRI definition of impact used in the Research Excellence Framework (REF), which is 'an effect on, change or benefit to the economy, society, culture, public policy or services, health, the environment or quality of life, beyond academia' (UKRI 2022). The Programme Lead (PL) collects and analyses all this data into a final impact report in month 18.
The third strand is the Diversity data strand. This strand is about asking everyone involved in the Networks who they are and what their experience of dance research has been like. It will provide a clearer understanding of the career landscape for dance researchers. Collecting robust diversity data provides insight into fair representation in the dance research sector.
The analysis of data from the three strands will be brought together to inform the recommendations piece.
Knowledge exchange and dissemination in this project includes five meet-up events, a publicly facing website and social media, sharing findings with relevant All-Party Parliamentary Groups (APPGs) and non-ministerial departments and public bodies, sharing of key findings through the interim and final reports (with press release), a monthly Network digest, and a Network directory.
The project 'Mapping the Dance Research Ecosystem' maps the system created by the funded Networks and monitors and evaluates their impact. It also facilitates knowledge exchange between the Networks and stakeholders, disseminates progress and results, and provides recommendations for the AHRC and the dance research sector for future direction and strategy.
It should be noted that the Networks are not fully representative of the entire dance research ecosystem. However, it will contribute to better understanding of the wider dance research ecosystem, the role of the AHRC funded Networks in the larger ecosystem, and the changes the Networks create in other academic disciplines and beyond academia.
The project is composed of three Work Packages (WPs). These are the Mapping WP, the Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning (or 'MEL') WP, and a WP that provides research and policy recommendations for the AHRC and dance sector.
The project begins in October 2023, and an interim report will be distributed in July 2024. A final report for the AHRC, DRM Networks, and dance sector will be shared in March 2025.
The AHRC DRM Network Advisory Group will provide independent checks and balances and advise on the work.
There will be five opportunities for the Networks to meet-up. Each Network is invited to host a 'Meet-up' event in a format of their choice. To ensure long-term impact, the Meet-ups will be open to the wider research community to promote further links beyond the funded networks.
Three data collection strands will all feed into the WPs. They are the Domain strand (DO), the Network strand (NW), and the Diversity Data strand (DD). The work in the Domain strand is about collecting information that is already there and analysing it based on a set of 'domains'. These domains are: Spatial (how and where dance research happens), Area Intersections: how and where dance research intersects with other areas of dance, Interdisciplinarity (how and where dance research intersects with other research disciplines), Impact of practice-based research, Career landscape for dance researchers, and Linguistic (language used by dance research community).
The second strand is the Network strand, which focuses on monitoring, evaluating, and learning about the impact of the Network. Three times across the 18 months of the project, each Network will complete a questionnaire that looks at the Network's impact. The latter is informed by the UKRI definition of impact used in the Research Excellence Framework (REF), which is 'an effect on, change or benefit to the economy, society, culture, public policy or services, health, the environment or quality of life, beyond academia' (UKRI 2022). The Programme Lead (PL) collects and analyses all this data into a final impact report in month 18.
The third strand is the Diversity data strand. This strand is about asking everyone involved in the Networks who they are and what their experience of dance research has been like. It will provide a clearer understanding of the career landscape for dance researchers. Collecting robust diversity data provides insight into fair representation in the dance research sector.
The analysis of data from the three strands will be brought together to inform the recommendations piece.
Knowledge exchange and dissemination in this project includes five meet-up events, a publicly facing website and social media, sharing findings with relevant All-Party Parliamentary Groups (APPGs) and non-ministerial departments and public bodies, sharing of key findings through the interim and final reports (with press release), a monthly Network digest, and a Network directory.
People |
ORCID iD |
| Vipavinee Artpradid (Principal Investigator / Fellow) |
Publications
Artpradid V
(2024)
Developments in Dance Research: The UK Dance Research Matters Programme
in Dance Research
| Description | As of the mid-July 2025, there have been over 90 events, activities, meetings, opportunities across the five networks and the mapping/evaluation work. Over 56% of the events, activities, meetings, and opportunities (collectively described as engagement activities) were open to all members of the public to attend, upon registration. Recognising the importance of supporting early career researchers and individuals who identify themselves as starting out in their journey as an artist-researcher or practice researcher, over a quarter (26.1%) of engagement activities had a focus on this target group. Over a quarter (26%) of engagement activities were aimed at capacity building and supporting sustainability (labs, residencies, continuity support), and will have continuing impacts long beyond the end of the funded project period. Sustainability is also in focus with a series of 'Offshoot' projects to increase involvement, building on an impressive number of local and international collaborations and participants spanning academics, artists, funders and the public. These include: ? Across over 90 events, activities, opportunities, and other outputs such as early career researcher training, labs, residencies, webinars, stakeholder meetings, symposiums, public workshops, conference presentations, surveys, publications, open forums, podcasts, films, funding an entire PhD, seed funding ? Directly involving over 235 UK and international individuals from the Creative Industries and academic sector ? Spanning over 30 * countries across 5 continents reached through in-person and online activities within the first 6 months of Network activity Sustainability -Dance Research Matters Offshoots Fund Each Network received £1,000 seed funding to support continued Network activities or the activity of a small group of practitioners or scholars associated with the Network. The Offshoots enabled the Networks to identify opportunities for the research to be expanded into related areas to test out ideas/involve more people/seed ideas for further research projects Here is a snapshot of Networks' offshoot activities: ? Sustaining teaching artists' collaborative working and mentorship in pairs of artist-educators (CDP) ? Supporting Marina Turlay and Rachel Sweeney to hold the 'Animate (in)Animate Bodies': a moving materialities workshop at AMATA Falmouth College of Art (DON) ? Running a Movement and Improvisation workshop by Bakani Pick-Up, which explores questions and movement on the experience of improvisation and how it intersects with race (DBDE) ? Establishing a diverse but collective Community of Practice through roundtable discussions and social events (FE:PDN) ? Supporting Akademi South Asian Dance to run a 1-day networking event on 'Indigeneity/ Adivasi Knowledges and Environmental Sustainability/Climate Change' (SADE) How did the five Dance Research Matters Networks do what they did? Networks developed a range of innovative methods to make the case for the importance of dance within the broad research ecosystem: ? Topical & Community-building (Critical Dance Pedagogy Network) with four topical open symposiums ('Intertextualities, Identities and Inequalities', 'Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion', 'Pedagogy(ies) and Practices', and 'Leadership and Futures') and two Artist-Educator Labs with a mentoring approach for sustainability. ? Capacity-Building & Opportunity-Creation (Digital Black Dance Ecologies Network) creating a fully funded PhD opportunity, seed funding for four Black dance artist commissions, and multiple workshops to support early career Black dance researchers. ? Continuous Chained Process (Dancing Otherwise Network) which involved a connection of spaces for Mapping, Creating (Choreographing), Examining, and Enacting around the thought and embodied practice of pluriversality. ? Sector-Development & Ecosystem Mapping (Future Ecologies: Producing Dance Network) involving career landscaping and self-identified stakeholder engagement through open forums, long tables involving multiple stakeholders, and a sector survey. ? Areas of Minoritisation & Direct Stakeholder Engagement (South Asian Dance Equity Network) creating spaces for sharing, discussion, and engagement through webinars and stakeholders. There were five public webinars based on five areas of minoritisation (the dominance of Indian/Hindu dance forms and artists; LGBTQI+ artists; caste-oppressed artists; disabled artists; and folk and Adivasi [indigenous] arts and artists). Each webinar was coupled with a stakeholder meeting that brought artists, practitioners, those in arts organisational leadership roles, and researchers together to expand discourse around the areas. The primary disciplinary areas covered by the networks include critical dance pedagogy and education, decentralised and decolonial approaches in dance, South Asian dance, intersectional Identities, Black dance, digital technologies and ecologies, early career researcher (ECR) and practice researcher development and mentorship, dance as an expanded ecosystem and social practice, the societal contribution and impact of practice research, and policy and institutional change in relation to dance research. Foci, examples, and themes for each of these disciplinary areas are provided in the following section. Critical Dance Pedagogy & Dance Education Foci: Equality, Equity, diversity, inclusion (EEDI), inclusive, and learner-centred teaching and learning approaches Examples include Critical Dance Pedagogy symposiums such as The Future of Critical Dance Pedagogy and Interextualities, Identities, and Inequalities, workshops, and podcasts, and CDP's online introduction courses for teacher training programmes Key Themes: Power structures, social assumptions, inclusive teaching, reflexive teaching and pedagogical transformation Decentred, Pluriversal, & Decolonial Approaches in Dance Foci: Expanding perspectives beyond dominant or singular narratives Examples: Public events such as the hybrid Mapping the Dance Pluriverse and Choreographing the Pluriverse and Enacting the Dance Pluriverse: Strategies for Organizing Otherwise Key Themes: Multiple and alternative ways of knowing and organising, co-existing and overlapping artistic practices, non-hierarchical/networked structures, recognising and building on socially and culturally diverse identities, making philosophy accessible South Asian Dance & Intersectional Identities Foci: Addressing caste, indigeneity, queerness, ableism, and Hinducentrism in British South Asian dance Examples include SADE's webinars and stakeholder meetings addressing the areas of minoritisation Key Themes: Decentring dominant narratives, highlighting underrepresented communities and voices, intersectional social justice Black Dance, Digital Technologies & Ecologies Foci: Black artists, digital and immersive technologies, and environmental justice Examples include DBDE's PhD workshops, artists' commissions, and residencies Key Themes: Black dance histories, digital performance, ecological consciousness, racial equity Early Career Researchers (ECRs) & Mentorship Foci: Supporting new academics, artists, practitioners, and practitioner-researchers in the dance and higher education sectors Examples include FE:PDN's ECR Group Meetings, DBDE's Early Career Mentorship Programme, and CDP's training for PhD students, DBDE's sessions on navigating higher education, creating competitive research profiles, book publication Key Themes: Research sustainability, academic career development, networking Dance as an Expanded Ecosystem & Social Practice Foci: Viewing dance as part of broader socio-political and ecological systems Examples include DON's public events on Mapping, Choreographing, and Enacting the Pluriverse, FE:PDN's National Centre for Academic and Cultural Exchange (NCACE) x Future Ecologies: Producing Dance Network Hybrid Workshop Key Themes: cross-sector and cross-industry engagement, interconnected and synergistic systems approaches, collaboration-centred ways of working together Contribution and impact of practice research Focus: making visible the contributions of practice research to evidence base and impact, understanding the needs of practice research practitioner-researchers, locating practice research in the industry and academy Examples include DON's Moving Otherwise: Making Change practice-focused participatory event, DBDE's Thrum: Black Dance, Black Futures, Digital Realms, and FE:DPN's Producing Dance in a Precarious World Long Table Key Themes: making practice research accessible to the public, expanding understanding around practice research, recognising practice research professionals in the dance sector and beyond, highlighting the roles and uses of practice research approaches for societal benefit Policy and Institutional Change Focus: Policymaking, research dissemination, institutional engagement. Examples include Dance Research Matters at the BCU CEDIA Conference - 'Inequalities and Diversity in the Media and Creative Industries' (Session titled 'Crafting dance research legibility in the Creative Industries'), Dance Research Matters mid-point event - 'Making Dance Research Legible', Dance Research Matters Festival - Celebrating and Futuring, DBDE's PhD Studentship: Digital Black Practice at the Intersection of Racial Inequity and Ecological Justice, FELPDN's Producing Dance - Sector Survey Key Themes: Dance advocacy, policymaking and resource distribution, academic research impact beyond Higher education What have the five DRM Networks put out in the world? There were a wide range of events, meetings, and opportunities, with a multiplicity of formats and diversity in the participants and audience. This reflected the creative generativity and connectivity of the Networks. As of the mid-July 2025, there have been over 90 events, activities, meetings, opportunities across the five networks and the mapping/evaluation work. Category Podcast 8 Symposium 6 Public Event 12 Stakeholder meeting 4 Early Career Researcher meeting 8 Open Forum 5 Research Retreat 1 Sharing Event 1 Long table discussion 1 Mentorship session 4 PhD Studentship 1 Mentorship opportunity 1 Workshop 4 Presentation 4 Artist Laboratory 5 Training 2 Commission opportunities (3+) 4 Focus Group 1 Sector survey 1 Articles 4 Offshoot funding 5 Outputs(10+) 10 Total 92 Primary target groups across activities Public 56 61% Practitioners, educators, researchers 14 15% Stakeholder 4 4% Specialist/closed 8 9% Other 10 11% Recognising the importance of supporting early career researchers and individuals who identify themselves as starting out in their journey as an artist-researcher or practice researcher, over a quarter (26.1%) of engagement activities had a focus on this target group. Over a quarter (26%) of engagement activities were aimed at capacity building and supporting sustainability (labs, residencies, continuity support) and will have continuing impacts long beyond the end of the funded project period. Recognising the importance of supporting early career researchers and individuals who identify themselves as starting out in their journey as an artist-researcher or practice researcher, over a quarter (26.1%) of engagement activities had a focus on this target group. Over a quarter (26%) of engagement activities were aimed at capacity building and supporting sustainability (labs, residencies, continuity support), and will have continuing impacts long beyond the end of the funded project period. The Networks recognised that online and hybrid events enabled more people to take part, but also that in-person interaction was equally important. Of the 61 events and meetings that took place across the 11-month period, 24 (39.3%) were in-person, 26 were online (42.6%), and 11(18%) were hybrid. This includes the hybrid final event scheduled for 10-11 July 2025. The people and organisations that have been involved in the network have multiple and often overlapping areas of work, reflecting the complexity, labour-intensive, and interdisciplinarity of dance research. Across the five networks, 230 individuals and organisations have been involved as Leads, Co-Leads, Industry Partners and Partners (includes project, artist, presenters, speakers, facilitators, administrative). This directory continues to grow, so this number is not final. This directory has been compiled based on information that is publicly available or available upon registration to events. The people involved across the five networks are involved in over 100 jobs, professions, and work roles, cutting across 8 multifaceted and overlapping categories. Whilst over half of the jobs, professions, and work roles would be predominantly described as academic, research, and dance or performance related, most of these roles overlap with six other role descriptions, including technology and innovation. |
| Exploitation Route | Recommendations for funders and policy makers Models of organising and sector development 1. Support the symbiotic and multilayered relationship between dance as part of the Creative Industries and dance research communities by making who can apply for and receive research funding more inclusive by expanding notions of who is a dance researcher and the contexts in which dance research takes place 2. Commission longitudinal research that establishes a foundational evidence base for why dance research matters, not only in economic terms, but also in terms of the social value of dance and dance research Dance research as key to other disciplines and sectors 3. Establish funding streams that recognise the importance of dance research leading cross-disciplinary bids rather than being at the periphery 4. In publicly facing materials, create clearer distinctions between the contributions of the humanities and the arts, as well as specific art forms, such as dance 5. Conduct research that estimates the economic value of dance in fields that aren't labelled 'dance research', but where the practises, knowledge forms, methodologies, and sensibilities of dance research have enabled that research to take place Support & funding structures 6. Review how funding for research can benefit independent researchers and non-academic partners 7. Support the creation of an independent research organisation for dance research 8. Advocate for a more streamlined and simpler visa application process for dance artists from outside of the UK to travel to the UK to take part in dance research activities Dissemination 9. Create infographics and social media posts that increase public awareness of the importance and impact of dance research by spotlighting learning points from dance research projects and initiatives 10. Partnering with dance organisations, create blog posts and online articles that talk about dance research projects that have enhanced or provide evidence of improving individuals' lives 11. Commission a handbook for communicating dance research (for example, see UCL's Handbook for Communicating Climate Change) Public policy & engagement 12. Review public perceptions, attitudes towards, and understandings of the word 'dance' to address stigma, stereotyping, and the undervaluing of activities and funding opportunities under the umbrella of dance and dance research Recommendations for communities that are engaged with and/or benefiting from dance research Models of organising and sector development 1. Support the implementation of collaboratively designed alternative models of working, organising, and funding with greater intersectional parity (that do not foreground educational, age-based, ability-based, economic, ethnic, and linguistic backgrounds, amongst others) 2. Build in bureaucratic scaffolds for dance (practice) research communities and the dance sector (industry) to share a mutually beneficial funding and working environment rather than being separate areas 3. Facilitate initiatives and mechanisms that proactively reach out to and connect with independent researchers and practitioners who are already involved in dance research but may not define themselves as dance researchers Dance research as key to other disciplines and sectors 4. Increase the visibility - and thus, financial viability - for dance research and the dance sector in the broad category of the Creative Industries in published materials targeted at funders, industry leaders, and the public 5. Encourage dance researchers to publish in journals of disciplines outside of dance as well as on more widely accessible platforms 6. Support funders to have a better understanding of Practice as Research by engaging with dance researchers to provide funders with resources about where and how Practice as Research is already taking place and its impacts 7. Encourage workshops and events that bring researchers from dance and other disciplines together to explore each other's methodologies and approaches for collaborative funding efforts 8. Working with marketing and communication teams on effective messaging about the importance of dance research 9. Engage with dance researchers to create resources that explain the relationship between dance research communities and the dance sector, that are accessible across a range of audiences Dissemination 10. Create infographics and social media posts that increase public awareness of the importance and impact of dance research by spotlighting learning points from dance research projects and initiatives 11. Partnering with dance organisations, create blog posts and online articles that talk about dance research projects that have enhanced or provide evidence of improving individuals' lives Public policy & engagement 12. In lobbying and advocacy efforts, set apart dance research from the Creative Industries collection of categories and highlight it as an area that is of economic and socio-cultural benefit to society |
| Sectors | Communities and Social Services/Policy Creative Economy Digital/Communication/Information Technologies (including Software) Education Environment Healthcare Leisure Activities including Sports Recreation and Tourism Government Democracy and Justice Culture Heritage Museums and Collections |
| Description | The ecosystems created by the funded Networks encompass South Asian dance (South Asian Dance Equity: The Arts that British South Asian Dance Ignores; SADE), digital Black dance (Digital Black Dance Ecologies; DBDE), producing dance (Future Ecologies: Producing Dance Network; FE:PDN), dance pedagogy (Critical Dance Pedagogy Network; CDP), and pluriversal approaches to dance practice (The Dancing Otherwise Network: DON) and are focused on exploring current issues like increasing visibility, generating change, and promoting interdisciplinary collaboration to strengthen the dance, practice-based, and practice research community and beyond, from the foundation of dance research. Since November 2023, each network has organised and started multiple events and initiatives. For example, the Critical Dance Pedagogy Network has had dance educator labs and symposiums, The Dancing Otherwise Network has held online events and in-person artist and public workshops exploring pluriversal practices, the Future Ecologies: Producing Dance Network has brought together producers and other professionals in the sector to discuss issues related to 'making dance happen' and have established an early career group with regular meetings, Digital Black Dance Ecologies has commissioned three dance films (available on the DBDE website) and have an initiative that supports Black researcher-practitioners, the South Asian Dance Equity Network has brought together South Asian dance artists, practitioners, and researchers from around the world to exchange perspectives and highlight issues of India-centrism, Hinducentrism, casteism, LGBTQ+ identities, and ableism, and in South Asian dance in the UK. These discursive areas are relevant not only to researchers and academics, but professionals across the Creative Industries and members of the public, because their intersectional concerns such as education, career pathways, race and ethnicity, and diversity and difference in ways of being and relating are of public significance. With the projects taking place in a socio-political and economic environment that has become increasingly inhospitable to the arts, but particularly to those in the dance sector, the projects have brought together individuals across different sectors and industries whose paths may not have crossed, forged new alliances, and ignited powerful motivation and unexpected synergies. Five offshoot groups and sets of activities have been created and funded by the mapping and evaluation budget, ensuring that the Networks' work continues beyond the project period. Each Network received £1,000 seed funding to support continued Network activities or the activity of a small group of practitioners or scholars associated with the Network. The Networks have generated much needed momentum in the push to support dance industry careers, through the work of dance researchers (based in academia) whose lives are intertwined with those in cross-sectors and industries. There were a wide range of events, meetings, and opportunities, with a multiplicity of formats and diversity in the participants and audience. This reflected the creative generativity and connectivity of the Networks. As of the mid-July 2025, there have been over 90 events, activities, meetings, opportunities across the five networks and the mapping/evaluation work. Over 56% of the events, activities, meetings, and opportunities (collectively described as engagement activities) were open to all members of the public to attend, upon registration. Recognising the importance of supporting early career researchers and individuals who identify themselves as starting out in their journey as an artist-researcher or practice researcher, over a quarter (26.1%) of engagement activities had a focus on this target group. Over a quarter (26%) of engagement activities were aimed at capacity building and supporting sustainability (labs, residencies, continuity support), and will have continuing impacts long beyond the end of the funded project period. Sustainability is also in focus with a series of 'Offshoot' projects to increase involvement, building on an impressive number of local and international collaborations and participants spanning academics, artists, funders and the public. These include: ? Across over 90 events, activities, opportunities, and other outputs such as early career researcher training, labs, residencies, webinars, stakeholder meetings, symposiums, public workshops, conference presentations, surveys, publications, open forums, podcasts, films, funding an entire PhD, seed funding ? Directly involving over 235 UK and international individuals from the Creative Industries and academic sector ? Spanning over 30 * countries across 5 continents reached through in-person and online activities within the first 6 months of Network activity The primary disciplinary areas covered by the networks include critical dance pedagogy and education, decentralised and decolonial approaches in dance, South Asian dance, intersectional Identities, Black dance, digital technologies and ecologies, early career researcher (ECR) and practice researcher development and mentorship, dance as an expanded ecosystem and social practice, the societal contribution and impact of practice research, and policy and institutional change in relation to dance research. Foci, examples, and themes for each of these disciplinary areas are provided in the following section. Critical Dance Pedagogy & Dance Education Foci: Equality, Equity, diversity, inclusion (EEDI), inclusive, and learner-centred teaching and learning approaches Examples include Critical Dance Pedagogy symposiums such as The Future of Critical Dance Pedagogy and Interextualities, Identities, and Inequalities, workshops, and podcasts, and CDP's online introduction courses for teacher training programmes Key Themes: Power structures, social assumptions, inclusive teaching, reflexive teaching and pedagogical transformation Decentred, Pluriversal, & Decolonial Approaches in Dance Foci: Expanding perspectives beyond dominant or singular narratives Examples: Public events such as the hybrid Mapping the Dance Pluriverse and Choreographing the Pluriverse and Enacting the Dance Pluriverse: Strategies for Organizing Otherwise Key Themes: Multiple and alternative ways of knowing and organising, co-existing and overlapping artistic practices, non-hierarchical/networked structures, recognising and building on socially and culturally diverse identities, making philosophy accessible South Asian Dance & Intersectional Identities Foci: Addressing caste, indigeneity, queerness, ableism, and Hinducentrism in British South Asian dance Examples include SADE's webinars and stakeholder meetings addressing the areas of minoritisation Key Themes: Decentring dominant narratives, highlighting underrepresented communities and voices, intersectional social justice Black Dance, Digital Technologies & Ecologies Foci: Black artists, digital and immersive technologies, and environmental justice Examples include DBDE's PhD workshops, artists' commissions, and residencies Key Themes: Black dance histories, digital performance, ecological consciousness, racial equity Early Career Researchers (ECRs) & Mentorship Foci: Supporting new academics, artists, practitioners, and practitioner-researchers in the dance and higher education sectors Examples include FE:PDN's ECR Group Meetings, DBDE's Early Career Mentorship Programme, and CDP's training for PhD students, DBDE's sessions on navigating higher education, creating competitive research profiles, book publication Key Themes: Research sustainability, academic career development, networking Dance as an Expanded Ecosystem & Social Practice Foci: Viewing dance as part of broader socio-political and ecological systems Examples include DON's public events on Mapping, Choreographing, and Enacting the Pluriverse, FE:PDN's National Centre for Academic and Cultural Exchange (NCACE) x Future Ecologies: Producing Dance Network Hybrid Workshop Key Themes: cross-sector and cross-industry engagement, interconnected and synergistic systems approaches, collaboration-centred ways of working together Contribution and impact of practice research Focus: making visible the contributions of practice research to evidence base and impact, understanding the needs of practice research practitioner-researchers, locating practice research in the industry and academy Examples include DON's Moving Otherwise: Making Change practice-focused participatory event, DBDE's Thrum: Black Dance, Black Futures, Digital Realms, and FE:DPN's Producing Dance in a Precarious World Long Table Key Themes: making practice research accessible to the public, expanding understanding around practice research, recognising practice research professionals in the dance sector and beyond, highlighting the roles and uses of practice research approaches for societal benefit Policy and Institutional Change Focus: Policymaking, research dissemination, institutional engagement. Examples include Dance Research Matters at the BCU CEDIA Conference - 'Inequalities and Diversity in the Media and Creative Industries' (Session titled 'Crafting dance research legibility in the Creative Industries'), Dance Research Matters mid-point event - 'Making Dance Research Legible', Dance Research Matters Festival - Celebrating and Futuring, DBDE's PhD Studentship: Digital Black Practice at the Intersection of Racial Inequity and Ecological Justice, FELPDN's Producing Dance - Sector Survey Key Themes: Dance advocacy, policymaking and resource distribution, academic research impact beyond Higher education What have the five DRM Networks put out in the world? There were a wide range of events, meetings, and opportunities, with a multiplicity of formats and diversity in the participants and audience. This reflected the creative generativity and connectivity of the Networks. As of the mid-July 2025, there have been over 90 events, activities, meetings, opportunities across the five networks and the mapping/evaluation work. Category Podcast 8 Symposium 6 Public Event 12 Stakeholder meeting 4 Early Career Researcher meeting 8 Open Forum 5 Research Retreat 1 Sharing Event 1 Long table discussion 1 Mentorship session 4 PhD Studentship 1 Mentorship opportunity 1 Workshop 4 Presentation 4 Artist Laboratory 5 Training 2 Commission opportunities (3+) 4 Focus Group 1 Sector survey 1 Articles 4 Offshoot funding 5 Outputs(10+) 10 Total 92 Primary target groups for activities Public 56 61% Practitioners, educators, researchers 14 15% Stakeholder 4 4% Specialist/closed 8 9% Other 10 11% Total 92 100% Recognising the importance of supporting early career researchers and individuals who identify themselves as starting out in their journey as an artist-researcher or practice researcher, over a quarter (26.1%) of engagement activities had a focus on this target group. Over a quarter (26%) of engagement activities were aimed at capacity building and supporting sustainability (labs, residencies, continuity support) and will have continuing impacts long beyond the end of the funded project period. Recognising the importance of supporting early career researchers and individuals who identify themselves as starting out in their journey as an artist-researcher or practice researcher, over a quarter (26.1%) of engagement activities had a focus on this target group. Over a quarter (26%) of engagement activities were aimed at capacity building and supporting sustainability (labs, residencies, continuity support), and will have continuing impacts long beyond the end of the funded project period. |
| First Year Of Impact | 2024 |
| Sector | Communities and Social Services/Policy,Creative Economy,Education,Healthcare,Government, Democracy and Justice |
| Impact Types | Cultural Societal Policy & public services |
| Title | Dance Research Matters Individual and Organisational Partners Database |
| Description | Database of over 200 individual and organisational partners who were involved in events, activities, and collaborations with at least one of the five Dance Research Matters Networks. The names, professional affiliation, job, title, and description are sourced from information that is publicly accessible on the Internet or in information sheets provided at the point of registration for publicly accessible events (e.g. speaker biographies). The database will eventually be available to other by July 2025. |
| Type Of Material | Data analysis technique |
| Year Produced | 2025 |
| Provided To Others? | No |
| Impact | The database has been used as a source of data for analysis of the career landscape of dance researchers and those working with or are associated with dance researchers, specifically with the five networks that are funded by this programme. The analysis has shown the overlapping and multiplicity of roles held by many individuals who work in dance research. Additionally, the database shows the extent of the reach 'outside' of the area of dance research (as an academic discipline). Analysis of the database also shows the reach individuals' work roles into industries beyond the dance sector. The flows of impact are not one-way, and are mulitidimensional, showing the complexity of the impact of dance research and those who make it happen. |
| Title | Dance Research Matters Networks Programme sustainability statement analysis by Isobel Guyvor (Investment Manager, Creative Industries and Culture, AHRC) |
| Description | This analysis covers fifteen sustainability statements submitted as part of Dance Research Matters scheme applications. The analysis includes the sustainability statements for the five funded networks and a further ten chosen at random. The excerpts have been anonymised. Each example only appears once although some could be classified under more than one heading. The number of examples under each heading very roughly reflects the number of instances that occurred within the statements. |
| Type Of Material | Data analysis technique |
| Year Produced | 2023 |
| Provided To Others? | No |
| Impact | Greater understanding of sustainability approaches and practices undertaken by dance research networks based on specific areas: Environmental focused meetings or agenda items • Holding a network meeting with environmental sustainability as the focus • The advisory boards will include a standing item on environmental sustainability • Sustainability to be a core agenda item at team meetings • Sustainability will be included in the agenda for the planning meeting Travel and accommodation • Travel to network events is undertaken exclusively by train and public transport and does not involve any flights • Where possible train travel has been prioritised, public transport information will be circulated to all event participants • Car sharing will be facilitated for network members via WhatsApp messaging and Facebook • Where flying is required, events have been combined to maximise efficiency • The network will support members and participant stakeholders to take public transport by funding train and bus tickets wherever possible. • Accommodation has been chosen within walking distance of activity venues to eliminate the need for transport wherever accessibility needs are not in place • Provision of public transport information for public events • Network plan that states order of travel for stakeholders; walk, cycle, public transport, or car share. Taxis and private transport discouraged Events and buildings • A public-facing Network event on sustainability will examine the ways in which the dance sector can work towards an ecosystem that is environmentally sustainable. • Event attendees and participants will be encouraged to follow 'reuse, repurpose and recycle' principles and to make use of on-site recycling facilities, water coolers and sustainable catering/drinking facilities • Utilise materials for props and events that have a long life and can be reused to incorporate embodied and in-use carbon • Housekeeping information to be shared around heating and lighting when using dance studio facilities to minimise usage • Student ambassadors to support environmental 'housekeeping' responsibilities at venues, studios and symposium • Recycling bins will be in all events spaces • Renting materials • PI and Co-I to be responsible for light off in rooms and equipment shut down • Holding network events in more energy and water efficient buildings, if possible, particularly in periods of very hot, cold or dry weather • Network events will be held during the day and will seek to make use of natural light as far as possible to reduce energy consumption Catering • For events non-disposable cups, crockery and cutlery will be used during refreshment and lunch breaks, to reduce waste. Local, seasonal, and vegetarian/vegan food will be favoured • Catering and refreshments will be procured from suppliers with zero/low waste operating strategies and no single-use plastics will be tolerated • The network will seek local vendors to supply its hospitality and vendors who engage with sustainable food practices • Members encouraged to bring own water bottles and use the water fountains • Catering to be done by independent restaurants that work with local suppliers • A list of independent local restaurants and food outlets (that work with local suppliers) will be provided to network members who wish to dine independently to support the local economy • All food bought for the project will be local, seasonal and vegetable based (vegan only) • The network will only work with catering suppliers who source food locally and who have transparent practices for redistribution and disposal of any leftover food or food waste Communication • Network website will feature a specific section dedicated to environmental sustainability both withing the network and across the wider dance sector, which will inform existing and future practices in the field and support the development of the professional and research discourse on environmental sustainability • Signpost website users to environmental guidance such as Julie's Bicycle • Will advocate for sustainable research practice to partners and those using the networks online learning tools on the website • The PI will ensure all network members are briefed on the environmental sustainability commitment adopted by the network • Promote and share the environmental sustainability approach taken by the network at conferences • The network intends to act as a community model in practising environmental leadership and promoting environmental sensitivity Learning and Development • Involvement and knowledge exchange with sustainability experts in discussions and operations planning • Inviting a Central Environmental Champion and Environment and Safety Manager to consult and advise the network on key environmentally sustainable practices with the PI, project co-ordinator and the Steering Group in the initial planning stages of the project • Carbon Literacy Training at the project launch that will be the guiding principles for the rest of the project • The PI will aim to participate in Carbon Literacy Trust training • The PI and project co-ordinator will consult with the Director of Operations and the Environment and Safety Manager at least six months before the proposed evening to begin the process of planning this event in the most sustainably efficient way possible. Technology • Network activities and events are curated predominantly in online or hybrid formats • All Network Management Group and Steering Committee meetings will be held on an online platform so that they will not incur any travel • Balance of online/hybrid and in-person participation • The international Co-I will be present in person for only two of the network's hybrid workshop activities • Hybrid meetings with remote participation of international partners, speakers and participants • All network meetings will be online • Work will be done online to reduce administration • Network will be paper free • Digital and non-print publicity materials e.g. using Sway software and QR codes for programme information • Some events will be held online to offset flying required by international researchers • Network meetings, advisory board and panels to meet on Zoom • Online presentations from international academics • Using video technology wherever in-person contact will not be detrimental to the aims of the project • Keep electronic communication and information sharing to what is required • Using digital in a more sustainable way. The network will follow guidelines for reducing the CO2 cost of digital communications by reducing the resolution of video calls, and deploying emails if/when possible, instead of online team meetings. • The network code of conduct will include an explicit plan to resist the use of weak (or narrow) artificial intelligence given its unsustainable energy impact on the planet • Plan for the network to lobby the support RO using their CO2 footprint estimates and the networks code of conduct to modify its procurement practices based on environmental footprint, use so-called green servers and data servers, and to switch to 100% renewable energy suppliers • Videos will be encouraged to be switched off for portions of each meeting where they are not essential as it is appreciated that online meetings do still have a CO2 footprint due to the emissions from servers and data centres • A common streaming service requires 7GB per hour of streaming in high video quality (Ultra HD or 4K). A standard videoconferencing service uses about 2.5 GB per hour (Obringer et al, 2021). Streaming motion capture in two directions (a duet) within our own project, based on our own cloud server usage, has peaked at 1.8GB per hour [an awareness/calculation of data use and associated footprint]. Partner and supplier credentials • [Details of project partners environmental credentials provided] One partner works with Julie's bicycle and has a been award the Industry Green Certification. Another has an environmental action plan and is part a voluntary energy saving programme (Business Climate Challenge). • Supplier and providers have been specifically chosen for their sustainability strategies or credentials • The network will engage with suppliers who have a clear commitment to environmental sustainability within their procedures. • The artist commissions the network will award will require awardees to demonstrated how they will embed environmentally sustainable practice within their creative practice • The network will provide guidance to partners on environmental sustainability for material, technology and events, waste generation and energy consumption • To offset carbon emissions, each artist/organisation and keynote speaker will be encouraged to request their institution/local government to plant trees in their local regions to offset their carbon emissions for their participating in the project Equality, Diversity and Inclusion • The network will increase understanding of vulnerabilities of the dance sector, challenges and barriers that exist for people that may have an interest and talent in dance, but are not able to gain access, participate or engage, and feel excluded and the power and position that dance educators hold that can make a positive difference through student-artist centred pedagogies. Knowledge exchange, discussion and debate of, for example, cultural pluralism, power structures, race and oppression, gender stereotypes, and ableism relate to UN Strategic Dev Goal 10: reduced inequalities and UN SDG 16: Peace, justice and strong institutions • The network has national geographic spread so people will be enabled to engage locally • The dance artists and organisations involved are from social and materially vulnerable communities, their participation in global cultural capital, and the networks that sustain such capital, is vital to their sustainable growth and development. • A commitment to environmental sustainability cannot be complete without pursuing the dismantling of systems that perpetuate subjugation and violence on Black, indigenous, and other minoritised communities it is essential that the intersections of social and environmental challenges are explored and fore fronted within Critical Dance Studies as they disproportionately impact Black and other marginalised communities and these challenges pose a fundamental threat to the sustainability and vitality of dance ecosystems around the world • The network team acknowledges the importance of modelling behaviours and structures that are as inclusive and supportive as possible, encouraging empowered participation with an awareness of the difference individuals can and must make within the boundaries of their available resources Increased connectivity supports a more efficient and sustainable research base and more effective communication with collaborators, commissioners and stakeholders locallyThe network will contribute to the generation of evidence-based research that will support a more sustainable community dance sector enacted by individuals and organisations at both hyperlocal and international scales intersecting with participants, partners and collaborators in the public and commercial sectors. • The network aims to value both rural and urban settings for research and practice. The network recognises the need to nourish connectivity to those outside established research and practice conversations/communities: with a shared commitment to relationships with location and environment. • The dance artists and organisations involved with the network are from social and materially vulnerable communities, their participation in global cultural capital, and the networks that sustain such capital, is vital to their sustainable growth and development. Research i. Sustainable research practice • The network will try not duplicate work. It will not repeat evaluation or research in order to conserve resources. Only when the data is sufficiently distinct or else combined, would an increased number of evaluations lead to an increased impact of the outcomes. • Publicly sharing data - open research practice • Particular attention will be paid to offering opportunities for dance research activities to align with nature for workshops and dance café sessions etc • During the mapping process, the network will identify the barriers and facilitators for sustainable and impactful research activities, noting endangered cultural and ethical values in dance research to generate opportunities for sharing interdisciplinary knowledge and challenging the traditions enforced by a culture of heavy consumerism. • The network will produce a policy report that will impact sustainability policies in the wider dance ecosystem • Materials and insights gathered from Network events and activities on environmental sustainability and ecological thinking will directly inform environmental sustainability agendas of partner organisations ii. Knowledge exchange • Learning from nature and employing dance as a vehicle through which environmental awareness and behavioural change can be invoked. • One of the researchers will share their expertise drawn from their work with indigenous artists and climate activists with the network. • Workshops with network members that focus on engagement with the natural environmental • Visit from a dance group who use dance to focus on (indigenous/tribal) methods of water, forest and land preservation. The work will be used as examples for sustainable models of dance and artistic practice and future models for collaboration. iii. Research questions/conceptual foundations • The network is using Mosko (2018) 'Stepping Sustainably: The Potential Partnership Between Dance and Sustainable Development' as it's approach. • Research is built around questions of environmentally sustainable practice in dance and performance. The networks research questions about functionality and aesthetics are complemented by an awareness of the need, in the current state of climate emergency, to clearly connect innovation ideals with actual societal needs. This was framed through institutional reports from IETM and Arts Council England, which both referred to the carbon footprint of arts and culture. "There should be no opposition between what art is and how art does: reducing emissions prompts creativity and activism, and vice versa", ACE (2019) • The networks seems to answer 'how do we responsibly balance the work of cultural equity with an environmental sustainability agenda?' References from sustainability statements The Theatre Green Book Climate Change Theatre Action UKRIs Sustainability Strategy 2019 UKRIs Sustainability Strategy 2018 UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) Julie's Bicycle Sustainable Production Guide (www.juliesbicycle.com/resources/practical-guides/production FABRIC - Environmental Policy and Actions Plan People Dancing - Environmental Impact Policy Mosko (2018) 'Stepping Sustainably: The Potential Partnership Between Dance and Sustainable Development' Liverpool John Moores University - Healthy Eating Guide https://www.ljmu.ac.uk/about-us/ljmu-climate-action/on-campus/healthy-eating Preston City Council - Preston Model Arts Council England - Environmental Responsibility Guidance The carbon impact of artificial intelligence https://www.nature.com/articles/s42256-020-0219-9 Zoom Emissions https://www.utilitybidder.co.uk/business-electricity/zoom-emissions/ Arts Council England - 'Sustaining Great Art and Culture: Environmental Report 2018/19' International Network for Contemporary Performing Arts report- 'Climate Action and the Performing Arts' Marks (2021) 'Tackling the carbon footprint of streaming media' |
| Description | Collaboration with One Dance UK on Programme and Programme Events dissemination |
| Organisation | One Dance UK |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Sector | Charity/Non Profit |
| PI Contribution | I provided One Dance UK with materials for dissemination to One Dance UK's networks. These included a press release about the Dance Research Matters Networks programme and the final events of the five Networks that are taking place between February and March 2025. I have also proposed that One Dance UK host an online session around Centring Dance Research in Interdisciplinary projects, which the organisation has agreed to and will be hosting in April or May 2025. |
| Collaborator Contribution | One Dance UK has disseminated information about the Dance Research Matters Programme and events from across the five Dance Research Matters Networks to its dance artist and community networks and social media subscribers (approximately 28,000 reach). |
| Impact | Information about the Dance Research Matters Networks Programme and the events taking place between February-March 2025 across the five networks have been disseminated to One Dance UK's network of subscribers and followers. |
| Start Year | 2023 |
| Description | Dance Research Matters Mid-Point Event - 'Making Dance Research Legible in the Creative Industries and Beyond' (10 September 2024, St Mary's Guildhall, Coventry) |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Study participants or study members |
| Results and Impact | The DRM Networks Mid-Point Event, on the thme of Making Dance Research Legible in the Creative Industries and Beyond, took place on 10th September 2024 at St Mary's Guildhall, Coventry. The event gathered dance researchers, educators, and practitioners to explore how dance research can be made more accessible and integrated into the Creative Industries. The program featured: - A performance provocation by Linden Dance Company - A keynote speech by Professor Kate Elswit on dance historical research and digital methodologies - Presentations from key research networks, covering topics such as critical dance pedagogy, digital dance ecologies, and South Asian dance equity - A panel discussion on the role of higher education in dance research and its value in the Creative Industries - A workshop led by Professor Vicky Hunter, focusing on innovative funding approaches for dance research The event provided a platform for discussions on interdisciplinary collaborations, challenges in dance research, and future directions in the field. Apart from bringing all the Networks together to share the progress and impact thus far of their Networks, the panel discussion generated vital debate around what it means to put dance researchers and dance at the centre of interdisciplinary research. Representatives from funding bodies were also present and were provided the opportunity of learning about the funding challenges faced by the dance research community and pathways to supporting them. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2024 |
| URL | https://youtu.be/GgRedwUWp88?si=yl99P9EuWE_Y7bOf |
| Description | Dance Research Matters Networks Monthly Newsletter |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A magazine, newsletter or online publication |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | The activity is a monthly newsletter to which anyone can subscribe to. The monthly newsletter is a compilation of events that have taken place or will be taking place across the five DRM Networks in the upcoming months. There has been a monthly newsletter since December 2023, or fourteen newsletters as of February 2025. The newsletter is not only sent to the 109 subscribers, but also to Dance HE jiscmail lists and also disseminated on the Centre for Dance Researh monthly newsletter. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2023,2024,2025 |
| URL | https://danceresearchmatters.coventry.ac.uk/ |
| Description | Highlights Reel and Full Video of the Dance Research Matters Mid-point Event - Making Dance Research Legible (10th September 2025, St Mary's Guildhall, Coventry) |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Engagement focused website, blog or social media channel |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Postgraduate students |
| Results and Impact | The Dance Research Matters Mid-point Event - Making Dance Research Legible (10th September 2025, St Mary's Guildhall, Coventry) was recorded fully by a videographer, and a highlights reel and full video of the day (except for one session) was edited and shared to the Centre for Dance Research (C-DaRE) YouTube Channel. The channel has over 200 subscribers. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2024 |
| URL | https://youtu.be/9uiXIE8nCAY?si=Tfgwp015LYEQ7ARt |
| Description | ResDance's Dance Research Matters Networks Series podcasts |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A broadcast e.g. TV/radio/film/podcast (other than news/press) |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Postgraduate students |
| Results and Impact | The partnership with ResDance was created to disseminate information and learning and increase the impact of the five Dance Research Matters Networks. There have been three ResDance x DRM Network Series podcasts so far, with another 3 in the pipeline. The reach of the activity is based on the statistics for ResDance followers and listeners, which include: - Total followers on Spotify: 501 (number doesn't include Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts etc) - 806 followers on ResDance's Instagram account ResDance has been listened to in 61 countries globally. Top countries are the UK, US and Australia, but also includes countries in Europe, North and South America, Australasia, India, Asia and Africa. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2023,2024,2025 |
| URL | https://open.spotify.com/show/7oukfI6Rhx27j4GbUDmz6z |
| Description | Research news article 'Coventry University Researchers at the Heart of Global Dance Research Networks' |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A press release, press conference or response to a media enquiry/interview |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
| Results and Impact | This was a research news article titled 'Coventry University Researchers at the Heart of Global Dance Research Networks' was written for the marketing and communications team to further develop into a research news article on the main Coventry University website. The article aimed to inform the general public about the Dance Research Matters Networks so that they would find out more. The article was also shared on Coventry University's social media platforms (LinkedIn, amongst others). Coventry University's LinkedIn has 294K followers and Coventry University's Research and Innovation LinkedIn account has 1,486 followers. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2023 |
| URL | https://www.coventry.ac.uk/research/about-us/research-news/2023/coventry-university-researchers-at-t... |