Collaborative practice as a catalyst for building belonging and identity as an HE dance academic

Vincent, Lauren (2026) Collaborative practice as a catalyst for building belonging and identity as an HE dance academic. In: Northern School of Contemporary Dance Better Together: Rethinking Practice Through Partnership, 7th January 2026, Northern School of Contemporary Dance.

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Abstract

Working as an academic in the UK Higher Education (HE) sector often involves navigating precarious conditions, demanding workloads, and continual adaptation to shifting neoliberal agendas (Barrow, Grant & Xu, 2022; Neary & Winn, 2016; Shahjahan, 2020). For dance lecturers, these challenges are compounded by disciplinary hierarchies and the undervaluing of embodied and practice-based knowledge. This presentation draws on a doctoral research project exploring the experiences of 15 dance academics (10 female, 5 male) from seven UK universities. Through two in-depth interviews conducted over an eight-month period (2021–22), participants reflected on their transition into academia and the evolution of their professional identities as academics. Findings highlight the critical role of collaborative practices, with colleagues, students, and local dance artists, in fostering resilience and enabling socialisation into and progression through the HE sector. Participants described how their previous experiences in the dance industry enabled them to build networks of support, nurture collective resistance and sustain their sense of identity and purpose through mutual partnerships. The presentation concludes with recommendations to strengthen collaborative infrastructures for new dance academics, including extended induction periods, structured mentoring, and dedicated time for reflective dialogue.

Item Type:	Conference or Workshop Item (Paper)
Divisions:	College of Creative Arts, Technology and Engineering > Performing Arts
Depositing User:	Research and Knowledge Exchange Office Admin 1
Date Deposited:	10 Sep 2026 09:33
Last Modified:	10 Sep 2026 09:33
URI:	https://bnu.repository.guildhe.ac.uk/id/eprint/21525

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