Parenting in Dance Network

Funded by the Arts and Humanities Research Council (AHRC), part of UK Research and Innovation (UKRI), this international network establishes new scholarly discourse across existing disciplinary boundaries on the topic of parenting and dance, connecting researchers working through different disciplinary lenses and methodologies (e.g., performance-based; sociological; physiological/psychological). The network also connects researchers with leading dance industry organisations at the forefront of sectoral and policy research related to parenthood in dance, forging links with a wide range of public stakeholders and beneficiaries.

The network’s connection of academia and industry creates pathways for the communication of research findings with artists, and for policy co-development. The network is led by PI Dr Aoife McGrath (Queen’s University Belfast) and Co-I Dr. Ali Duffy (Texas Tech University) in collaboration with dance industry research partners, Dance Mama (UK), Balancing Act (Canada) and PiPA (UK), and academic partners Professor Angela Pickard (Canterbury Christ Church University), and Professor Madeline Harvey (Colorado State University).

Three global seminars, which will be offered as free and open to the public, will take place between 2023 and 2024.