The new Research Team

20 November 2024

Earlier this year, a group of leading dance organisations – Candoco Dance Company, Corali, People Dancing, Stopgap Dance Company and TIN Arts – formed a collaborative working group to address the lack of representation and leadership opportunities for D/deaf, disabled, neurodivergent, blind and visually impaired, learning-disabled, and chronically ill individuals within the dance sector.

Together, they have committed to exploring ways to challenge existing barriers and promote long-term, meaningful inclusion in the workforce. Through a new research programme funded by Arts Council England, titled Barriers to Progression and Employment in Dance for Disabled People, the working group aims to shed light on these issues, with a focus on informing sector-wide change and supporting colleagues in making sustainable, collaborative improvements.

We are pleased to announce the appointment of the independent research team, who will lead this important investigation:

– Imogen Aujla (PhD, Dip. CBT) – Freelance Dance Researcher, Lecturer, and Life Coach at Dance in Mind
– Louisa Petts (PhD, AFHEA) – Researcher, Lecturer, and Community Dance Artist
– Kate Marsh (PHD) Assistant Professor at C-DaRE (Centre for Dance Research) at Coventry University

The research team will conduct a nationwide study, engaging with individuals, groups, and organisations within the sector to identify and address the systemic barriers preventing disabled people from entering, sustaining, and advancing in their dance careers. The research findings will be shared in April 2025.

For further information, please visit People Dancing’s website or contact Louise Wildish, Head of Inclusion at People Dancing at louise@communitydance.org.uk.

Read our Working Group statement.