Walking into the unknown: dance artists' transitions into academia

Vincent, Lauren (2026) Walking into the unknown: dance artists' transitions into academia. Journal of Dance Education. ISSN 1529-0824 (In Press)

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Abstract

Although transitions from industry to academia have been widely studied, research remains limited in less established disciplines such as dance. Existing literature in healthcare and education often addresses identity negotiation but rarely considers previous career journeys or early scholarly experiences. This study addresses that gap by examining the career journeys of dance academics in UK universities, identifying the forms of capital most valued during the transition into academia. Career timelines and narrative interviews were conducted with 15 dance academics. Reflexive thematic analysis revealed five career typologies, “The professional dancer,” “The traditional academic,” “The portfolio dance artist,” “The dance teacher,” and “The assisted academic.” These typologies identify diverse pathways into academia but also offer practical insights for dance education by informing curriculum design to better prepare graduates for future careers. Furthermore, they provide a conceptual framework for future research into professional identity and careers within dance and related creative disciplines.

Item Type:	Article
Divisions:	College of Creative Arts, Technology and Engineering > Performing Arts
Depositing User:	Jessie McLean
Date Deposited:	05 Oct 2026 15:48
Last Modified:	05 Oct 2026 15:48
URI:	https://bnu.repository.guildhe.ac.uk/id/eprint/21795

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