This network establishes new scholarly discourse across existing disciplinary boundaries on the topic of parenting and dance, connecting researchers working through different disciplinary lenses and methodologies (e.g., performance-based; sociological; physiological/psychological).

The network also connects researchers with leading dance industry organisations at the forefront of sectoral and policy research related to parenthood in dance, forging links with a wide range of public stakeholders and beneficiaries. The network’s connection of academia and industry creates pathways for the communication of research findings with artists and health care workers, establishing a platform for policy co-development.

The network is led by PI Dr Aoife McGrath (Queen’s University Belfast) and Co-I Professor Ali Duffy (Texas Tech University) in collaboration with academic partners Dr Madeline Harvey (Colorado State University) and Professor Angela Pickard (Canterbury Christ Church University), and dance industry research partners Balancing Act (Canada), Dance Mama (UK), and Parents in the Performing Arts (PiPA, UK).

The network will host three international seminars, with the first convened at QUB in September 2023, the second at Canterbury Christ Church University in Spring 2024, and the third at Texas Tech University in September 2024.

Further details and updates will be posted to the project webpage hosted by Dance Mama: https://www.dancemama.org/internationalparentinganddancenetwork