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DANCE SCIENCE
Exploring the Science behind the Art
By recognising the dancer as an artist athlete, Dance Scientists strive to optimise the dancer’s potential as an elite performer through areas such as physiology, psychology and biomechanics. By measuring the effect of regular dance activity, Dance Scientists explore the unique role that dance can play among other populations. It is an exciting time to be involved in Dance Science. The number of questions emerging from the field far outweigh the number of answers and it is remarkable that until only recently the words ‘dance’ and ‘science’ would have been rarely used within the same sentence.
Dance Science investigates the quantitative and qualitative aspects of dance training and performance, combining a range of scientific disciplines into a flexible working practice for dancers, choreographers and dance teachers.
LABAN’S ROLE IN DANCE SCIENCE
Laban is known internationally as a leader in Dance Science and was the first institution in the world to offer an MSc in Dance Science in 2003. Since then the student intake has increased, with 20 full time students enrolled in 2009/2010.
Caroline Miller, Director, Dance UK
Laban also has a strong connection with the International Association for Dance Medicine and Science (IADMS). In 2003, Laban hosted the IADMS annual conference and during the last 5 years, there have been more presentations at the conference from Laban than any other institution in the world.
The Programme Leader of the MSc Dance Science course at Laban, Dr. Emma Redding, is currently vice-president of the IADMS Board of Directors. Working in association with Dance UK’s Healthier Dancer programme, Laban has pioneered research in Dance Science and health and continues to work for better health provision for dancers.
THE DANCE SCIENCE DEPARTMENT AT LABAN
Dance Science is perfectly situated alongside Health and Pilates at Laban. It supports a versatile laboratory that is inhabited for lecturers, seminars, testing and research. The faculty and students have access to a range of specialised dance science testing equipment.
Part of the success of Dance Science at Laban is due to the inspirational, versatile and passionate team, led by Dr. Emma Redding. All the team are or have been dancers/performing artists at some point in their career and they all share a passion for advancing the knowledge, understanding and application of dance practice through their ongoing teaching and research within Dance Science. For more information on team members and faculty please click here.
DANCE SCIENCE DEPARTMENT RESEARCH AND CONSULTANCY
The main aims of the department are to investigate ways of enhancing dance training, optimising dancer performance and exploring the physiological and psychological effect of dance as a form of physical activity.
In addition to developing the first ever Masters Degree in Dance Science, the Dance Science department is constantly involved in undertaking research, and collaborating with external organisations to provide consultancy in areas such as investigating dance within community settings, optimising performance health, and devising performer-specific training.
Our partners within this area of Dance Science range from commissioning bodies such as regional councils to professional dance companies at the forefront of the dance industry in the UK.
With over 300 dance students in full-time professional training and strong relationships with many UK leading Contemporary Dance companies, Laban has unparalleled access to potential research participants which gives both credibility and validity to any investigation.
Find out more about our department’s research and consultancy work.
Take a look at our Research and Publications summary from 2009 - 2010 |
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