Series 6: Episode 11: Racial Equity in Dance with Stacey Green and Imogen Aujla
TIRED co-founder Stacey Green and lead researcher Dr. Imogen Aujla share their insight on the latest ResDance podcast. Listen to find out more about their thinking and considerations around racial equity in dance.
Through exploring the work of The TIRED Movement and their current 3-year research project looking at representation in dance training and education (the RED Research Project), we discuss the importance of removing the fear of discussing racism in dance and acknowledging the need for good practices to be adhered to within the dance industry. Through reflecting upon her personal and professional experiences, Stacey advocates for a unitedness and bringing together of the dance community, an openness of communication and a greater celebration of the pioneers and origins of dance influenced by black culture. Stacey and Imogen highlight the value of giving voice to students and practitioners within the field and a quest to work collectively to improve racial equality and representation in the dance industry.
Link to listen: https://open.spotify.com/episode/5WUlH2tuyfZu0Ncr1Zmbxe?si=AA1lEcIVSxidZv5YTGJX3A
Stacey Green – IOD Diversity and Inclusion Ambassador for Derbyshire and Nottinghamshire
“From the very first time I stepped into a ballet class back in 1979, I immediately noticed I was different. Even at the age of just four years old, the predominately white environment I found myself in felt strange but I didn’t know why. I do now. What was apparent then, is still apparent now. The lack of black representation within dance education is clearly something that needs to be addressed. If children and young people don’t see someone that looks like them at the top of the pyramid of power, then how do they aspire to be in that space or identify with that profession? As the principal of my own performing arts school and over 25yrs of experience working within the industry, teaching children and young people to embrace not just the artform but their ethnicity has always been paramount. As a mixed race educator I have spent the past 42yrs competing in a sector that is predominately white, with very few opportunities to voice my concerns about the lack of representation within The British Festival Federation and various examining boards.”
Contact details:
- Email: info@tiredmovement.com
- @movementtired on Instagram and X
- TIRED Movement on Facebook
Other social media handles:
- Shades Dancewear
- info@shades-dancewear.com
- @shadesdancewear on Instagram, TikTok, X, Facebook, Pinterest
Dr. Imogen Aujla
Imogen is a freelance dance psychology researcher, lecturer, and life and wellbeing coach. She originally trained as a dancer before specialising in dance science and later dance psychology. She has a PhD in dance psychology and a Diploma in Cognitive Behavioural Therapy. Prior to going freelance, Imogen was a Senior Lecturer in Dance and Course Coordinator of the MSc Dance Science at the University of Bedfordshire. As well as her project-based freelance work, she is a regular guest tutor on the MAS Dance Science at the University of Bern, Switzerland, is a peer tutor for the mental health charity Mind, and is a member of the Mental Health Advisory Group of the International Association for Dance Medicine and Science. Imogen’s research interests include talent development, inclusive dance, and psychological wellbeing among dancers. She has published over 30 peer-reviewed journal articles and book chapters, and has presented her research internationally.
Contact details:
- Facebook: @danceinmindUK
- Instagram: @dance_in_mind_UK
- Website: www.danceinmind.org
Published sources and recommendations:
Let’s talk about representation in dance (danceinmind.org)
Please share this episode with students, educators, practitioners, performers, and interdisciplinary researchers curious to learn more about dance research in action.
