Our Research
Leading the arts beyond convention
We are a community of cultural change makers and artists. Our teaching staff develop innovative, collaborative research projects which aim to push the boundaries of their art forms and promote the development of new artistic media.
We support a broad range of research-based activity including choreography, composition, performance, pedagogy, performance design and performance science and encourage diverse perspectives that will challenge the status quo.
Collaboration
We encourage diverse perspectives, curiosity and collaboration. Our interdisciplinary research projects help redefine convention – often incorporating film technology or theoretical perspectives with creative practice.
Our global reach
Our research has impact. Our researchers have been published in journals and books, presented keynote lectures and conferences and have had works commissioned and performed all over the world. From performances at some of the most renowned arts venues and festivals to commissioned works for some of the most talented orchestras, dancers and artists – the creative success of our research community shines centre stage.
Practice-based research
Composition
Our composers have works commissioned by globally acclaimed orchestras and ensembles including BBC Symphony Orchestra, Canadian Sinfonietta, ELISION ensemble, English National Opera, Ex Novo ensemble, London Sinfonietta, London Symphony Orchestra, musikFabric, Österreichisches Ensemble für Neue Musik, RepertorioZero and RTE National Symphony Orchestra of Ireland.
Choreography
Our choreographers have been commissioned by dance companies including Australian Ballet, Nederlands Dans Theater, New York City Ballet, Paris Opera Ballet, Probe Dance Company, San Francisco Ballet, Stuttgart Ballet and The Royal Ballet.
Performances
Our staff have had their work performed at venues and festivals around the world including the BBC Proms, Brighton Festival, Cheltenham Festival, Cutting Edge Festival British Dance Edition, Dance Umbrella, Fabricca Europa in Florence, Huddersfield Contemporary Music Festival, ICA London, Royal Opera House, Sadler’s Wells, Tage für Neue Musik in Zürich, Weimarer Frühjahrstage für Zeitgenössische Musik, Wien Modern and Randspiele Berlin.
Recording
Our staff have been involved in the recording of the music of Peter Maxwell Davies, , Morton Feldman, Philip Glass and Johann Baptist Vanhal in addition to new scholarly editions of the works of Frederic Chopin and Thomas Tomkins.
Text-based research
Our researchers have had journal articles published in Austrian Studies, Biological Psychology, Contemporary Aesthetics, Contemporary Music Review, Critical Horizons, Dance Books, Dance Research Journal, International Journal of Performance Arts and Digital Media, Journal for the Philosophy of History, Journal of the Royal Musical Association, Musicae Scientiae, Neue Zeitschrift für Musik, Opera Quarterly and Psychology of Music. Monographs and book chapters have been published for Ashgate, Cambridge University Press and Oxford University Press.
Keynote speaking
Our staff have delivered keynotes or lectures at Goldsmiths College, IAS London, Institute of Musical Research, Oxford University, Sage – Gateshead, Royal Academy of Music, Southbank Centre, The British Academy, The Society for Dance Research, University of York and the University of Huddersfield.
Research Areas
Creative Practice and/or performance
Composition or choreography, with an emphasis on collaboration.
Our staff researchers in this area include: Rosemary Brandt, Jonathan Clark PhD, Sophie Fuller PhD, Deirdre Gribbin PhD, Sam Hayden PhD, Hans Koller PhD, Charles Linehan, Dominic Murcott PhD, Paul Newland PhD, Nye Parry PhD, Gwyn Pritchard, Aleksander Szram DMA
Performance Pedagogy
Research that furthers teaching practice, including contextual and critical approaches.
Our staff researchers in this area include: Jonathan Clark PhD, Aleksander Szram DMA, Dario van Gammeren PhD
Performance Science
Investigating the impact of dance and music on health and well-being, optimising performance health and devising performer-specific training.
Our staff researchers in this area include: Liliana Araújo PhD, Emma Redding PhD
Public engagement
Research that connects with our public engagement programme including developing ways of evaluating the use of dance and music in participatory settings and the development of artists and audiences.
Our staff researchers in this area include: Jonathan Clark PhD, Daniel Hartley PhD Rebecca Stancliffe PhD,
Public Engagement Research
Our public Engagement Research spans a range of topics including arts and health, older adults, children and young people and arts and museums
Dance Science research
We are internationally renowned as a leader in Dance Science research.
Our research and publications have generated interest among dance educators, choreographers, artistic directors and researchers worldwide and our research staff hold national and international industry awards. A greater number of initiatives now exist to enhance and sustain the health and wellbeing of dancing as a result of our work.
Our research centre
Thinking Through Practice
Our multidisciplinary research centre addresses cultural and societal issues surrounding both theoretical and practice-based research outcomes.
