Body Perspectives: Re-evaluating the Ideal

Creating healthier body image cultures in dance through research, lived experience, and practical action.
About this Event

This is not a conference about appearance. It is a conference about how body image affects participation, wellbeing, performance, health and culture in dance, and what we can do about it. Attendees leave with evidence-based knowledge, practical tools, meaningful connections, and concrete actions they can implement immediately.

Agenda

🕑: 09:00 AM - 10:00 AM
Arrival and networking
🕑: 10:00 AM - 10:15 AM
Welcome and Setting the Scene
Host: Erin Sanchez
🕑: 10:15 AM - 10:45 AM
Body Image in Dance: Why It Matters
Host: David Donnelly
🕑: 10:45 AM - 11:30 AM
What Do We Hear: Body Image Across Dance Styles
Host: Romy Ashmore-Hills
🕑: 11:30 AM - 12:00 PM
BREAK
Concurrent sessions - CHOOSE TWO

Info: Concurrent sessions will run from 12:00-12:45, and repeat from 12:45-1:30

🕑: 12:00 PM - 01:30 PM
Session 1: The Psychology of Body Image
🕑: 12:00 PM - 01:30 PM
Session 2: Understanding RED-D: Research, recognition and response
Host: Karen Sheriff
🕑: 12:00 PM - 01:30 PM
Session 3: Growing Up in Dance: Considerations for body image
Host: Dr Siobhan Mitchell

Info: The session will examine how puberty and adolescent development intersect with the unique demands and cultures of dance settings, highlighting what current research tells us about body image, maturation, wellbeing and participation. Drawing on qualitative research with dance teachers and young dancers, alongside insights from the Growing up in Dance (GuiDANCE) project and network, the presentation will explore how maturity timing, changing bodies and dance training environments can shape young people’s experiences.

🕑: 12:00 PM - 01:30 PM
Session 4: Body Image, Injury and the Professional Dancer
Host: Jonny Bucke

Info: Dancers can view pain and body dissatisfaction as normal parts of their art. This can create a risky cycle where negative body image drives overtraining, and physical injury triggers poor mental health.
This session explores the complex interaction between psychological well-being and physical health in professional dance. Jonny will share research on training load & injury in dance and how body image may contribute to this. Attendees will gain an understanding of the strategies a professional ballet company uses to manage these issues, learn some practical tools to spot early warning signs of Relative Energy Deficiency in Dance and hear about lessons learnt from Jonny in this space.

🕑: 12:00 PM - 01:30 PM
Session 5: Nourishing the Dancer: The Impact of Body Image on Food & Fuelling
Host: Mhairi Keil
🕑: 01:30 PM - 02:30 PM
LUNCH
🕑: 02:30 PM - 03:30 PM
Shaping Dance Culture: Perspectives from Dancers, Schools, and Companies
🕑: 03:30 PM - 04:30 PM
Leading Change: Building Supportive Dance Environments and Healthy Dancers
🕑: 04:30 PM - 05:00 PM
Networking