Research

Joint Hypermobility Awareness in the Teaching and Learning Environment for Dance

The aim of this project is to create an infographic Health Literacy guide for Joint Hypermobility awareness, written in inclusive language for dancers, practitioners, teachers and pedagogues working in the dance sector.

Joint Hypermobility is a representation of genetically diss-ordered connective tissue that affects between 20-40% of the general population. It enables the joints to move beyond normal limits, resulting in extreme flexibility. 

Remarkably, Joint Hypermobility prevalence in the dance sector is up to 80%, where it is commonly regarded as an asset and sign of talent. Known vulnerabilities associated with Joint Hypermobility are injury and pain. Paradoxically, yet equally harmful, are relatively unknown psychosocial predispositions that include experience of psychological distress, anxiety and autonomic dysregulation.

The infographic Health Literacy guide for Joint Hypermobility awareness for the dance sector will raise awareness towards the impact of the disorder and empower dancers to manage their unique yet poorly understood physique.

Funded by

Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC) Impact Acceleration Grant

Project collaborators

• Dr Wendy Timmons, Senior Lecturer and  DaReS Network Lead
• Martin Lanfear, Head of Performance Medicine Scottish Ballet
• Tamarin Stott, Rehearsal Assistant/P-Med Lead
• Liron Blajswajs, Research Assistant 

Socratic Circles, creating and evaluating a new choreographic methodology

Socratic Circles is a partnership project between: 

• DaReS
• CREID (Centre for Research in Education, Inclusion and Diversity) at the University of Edinburgh
• The Traditional Dance Forum of Scotland
• two primary six classes from Edinburgh’s Abbeyhill and Royal Mile Primary schools. 

A new methodology is being developed through this project using Socratic Dialogues as a successful method for co-devising dance theatre for and by children. Currently these type of projects are needed as they help fulfil many gaps in our current curriculum in schools: 

• the lack of Scottish and world trad dance provided in our state-funded primary schools
• the shortage of newly devised traditional dance shows and productions in the performing arts landscape across Scotland
• the absence of pathways for traditional dance artists with pedagogical training across the formal primary education sector in Scotland.

Therefore, going forward, this project will embrace this methodology as a tool when creating new dance theatre for and by children. It will make world traditional dance a primary ingredient and essential part of the Curriculum for Excellence, celebrating the multi-ethnic diversity of communities in Scotland, developing young people’s physical and cultural literacies through trad dance and encouraging them to get along despite their differences. 

Additionally, this will enable young learners to actively contribute to the script and choreography of a new dance show rather than passively consume theatre and workshops without any real ownership.

Funded by

The project was funded in 2024 by Edinburgh Local and presented as part of the TDFS’ Pomegranates festival 2025

Project collaborators

• Dr Wendy Timmons, Senior Lecturer and  DaReS Network Lead
• Heather Rikic, Teaching Fellow, MSc DSE Programme Director
• Dr Jonathan Hancock, Research Fellow UoE
• Iliyana Nedkova, TDFS curator 

Pomegranates Festival

Knowledge exchange partnership and collaboration with the Traditional Dance Forum of Scotland through Pomegranates Festival (2022-present) that provides continued professional learning opportunities, residencies, research and development and performance opportunities for over 200 dance practitioner members

Funded by

Funded through a portfolio of funding awarded to the TDFS

Project collaborators

• Dr Wendy Timmons, Senior Lecturer and  DaReS Network Lead
• Iliyana Nedkova, TDFS curator
• Traditional Dance Forum of Scotland

Immersive Arts Project: ‘By Leaves we Live’

The Immersive Arts UK Explore grant will enable us to research and develop methods for bringing the untold story 'By Leaves We Live: When Morris Met Geddes' to life for as wide an audience as possible. We will experiment with mixed, augmented and extended reality technologies to explore how they can enhance the storytelling power of traditional dance choreography for screen and stage.

Funded by

Immersive Arts UK through UKRI Arts and Humanities Research Council (AHRC), Arts Council England, the Arts Council of Wales (ACW), Creative Scotland and the Arts Council of Northern Ireland (ACNI).

Project collaborators

• Dr Wendy Timmons, Senior Lecturer and DaReS Network Lead
• Iliyana Nedkova, TDFS curator
• Traditional Dance Forum of Scotland
• Professor Olga Taxidou, Professor Emerita of Drama and Performance Studies at the University of Edinburgh, and Visiting Professor at New York University
• Tupac Matir Artist/Founder, Satore Studio, award-winning, multidisciplinary digital artist whose portfolio spans lighting design, performative reality, and the integration of cutting-edge technologies across music, theatre, fashion, opera, and exhibitions.
• Mare Tralla Cinematographer
• Madeline Squire Choreographer and dance artist
• Dr. Bill Zachs Director of Blackie House Library and Museum, Edinburgh.