Trinity Laban celebrated 25 years of the MSc Dance Science programme last week. Over two days the dance science community gathered for a symposium and celebration honouring a quarter century of research, practice, collaboration and innovation in the field of Dance Medicine & Science.
In 2001 Trinity Laban launched the world’s first master’s degree in dance science. Since then, we have been pioneering the subject, welcoming students from across the world to take part in innovative education, and groundbreaking research. The department also provides world-leading clinical services for the dance sector.
To celebrate the past 25 years, the dance science department put together a two-day symposium and celebration. To kick off the first day, co-authors of the inaugural Dance Science programme at Trinity Laban Matthew Wyon, Gregory Sporton and Emma Redding took part in a panel discussion moderated by Head of Dance Science, Catherine Haber. They discussed how they created that very first programme, what was included in the syllabus and the challenges they faced along the way.
Current and former Trinity Laban Dance Science students, along with leading figures and members of the wider Dance Science community, presented their research at the symposium, reflecting how the discipline has evolved over the last 25 years. Each presentation highlighted the shared commitment to advancing dance science. The format provided an opportunity for new and established researchers to connect, to question, to imagine, and to move forward together.
The second day featured a mix of research presentations, practical sessions, and a keynote panel with National Institute of Dance Medicine & Science (NIDMS) founding partners Matthew Wyon, Emma Redding, and Helen Laws, moderated by Erin Sanchez. The panel reflected on the history of dance medicine and science in the UK and remarked on the impact of NIDMS and their ongoing efforts to improve dancer health and access to support.
Across the two days, Trinity Laban staff highlighted emerging work spanning a range of topics, from the integration of fitness screening principles into contemporary dance practice to structural influences on engagement with healthcare. As the discourse shifts and develops, so does the programme at Trinity Laban, which continues to bring together a global community of dancers, scientists, educators, clinicians, and researchers who work together to shape the future of dance science.
Catherine Haber, Head of Dance Science, said: “Celebrating 25 years of Dance Science was a wonderful reminder of how far the field has come and, perhaps more importantly, of the strong community that has grown with it. Bringing together alumni, students, researchers, clinicians, educators and practitioners created a warm and inspiring atmosphere that reflected the collaborative spirit at the heart of Dance Science. Throughout the symposium, it was clear that this is a community united by a shared commitment to supporting dancers’ health, wellbeing and performance. It was especially meaningful to hear from many of the pioneers who helped establish the field, to see how the next generation is building on those foundations, and to reflect on where both the field and this remarkable community will go next.”
You can view the full programme here.
Find out more about dance science at Trinity Laban here.