Practice-as-Research

In a performance studies context, ‘Practice-as-Research,’ sometimes referred to as ‘Research- into-Practice’ and ‘Practice-based Research,’ is a methodology that helps explore the intricate relationship between theory and practice as forms of research. This DSA working group investigates dance practice as a research tool and aims to understand underlying epistemological concerns which can only be generated through a practical approach to studying dance. This group will engage in discussions concerning the “Practice-as-Research” method and exchange resources to contextualize the relevance of this method in university instructional settings and beyond. This DSA working group shall serve as a platform to share knowledge, strategies, materials, and research ideas.

Topic of discussion for the working group include:

1. What is practice-as-research in a performance studies context?
2. What does it mean to conduct a practice-based research project in dance studies?
3. How do we contextualize the findings from a practice-based research project?
4. What is the contribution of practice-as-research to existing research methodologies?
5. What are the drawbacks of this methodology and what can we learn from it going forward?

All those interested in exploring the Practice-as-Research methodology are invited to join this working group. In the meantime, any inquiries related to membership or activities of the working group may be addressed by sending an email to the chair of the group.

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Sanchita Sharma, Working Group Chair

Dr. Sanchita Sharma (she/her) is a New Delhi-born, Austin-based performing artist, choreographer, educator, and dance scholar. She earned her PhD in Culture and Performance from University of California, Los Angeles, where she researched the politics of corporeal dissent in Indian contemporary dance. Layering movement, language, visual media, and sound, she explores themes such as attention, hyper-visibility and migration as manifested in her female dancing body. Her dances have been presented at ARCOS Presents Long-Form, Dance Carousel, Small Plates Choreography Festival, Austin Dance Festival, and Preheat Film Festival (Austin), Keshet Center for the Arts (Albuquerque), Seoul International Short Film Festival, Gati Dance Forum (New Delhi) and Maya Dance Theatre (Singapore), among others. She is an Adjunct Assistant Professor of Dance and Instructional Associate at Austin Community College, and teaches Beginning Modern dance, Dance Appreciation, World Dance, Freshman Dance Performance, and Academic Cooperative in Dance Production. As the Chair for Dance Studies Association’s working group, Practice-as-Research, she advocates for an interdisciplinary approach to dance scholarship. Her writing has been published in Dance Research Journal and forthcoming in Choreographic Practices and South Asian Dance Intersections.