Find Academic Supervisors

Liz PaveyView profile

Lecturer

• Dance Studies
• Performance Art
• Embodied Cognition
• +3 more

Liz Pavey is a Lecturer in Performance at Northumbria University since 2004, specializing in dance artistry and interdisciplinary research. She holds a Senior Fellowship of the HEA and has served as an External Examiner for multiple UK universities. Her work bridges somatic practices, environmental studies, and posthumanism, emphasizing embodiment and ecological interconnectedness. Her research focuses on site-specific performance, deep time studies, and collaborative projects like Living Stone: We are the rocks dancing and The Other Side of Me , which explore intersections of art, ecology, and social justice. She co-leads studies on the impact of dance interventions in correctional facilities and participates in global initiatives like the Deep Time Walk program. Liz’s teaching spans undergraduate to postgraduate levels in Theatre & Performance, integrating her expertise in contemporary dance, Laban Movement Analysis, and Shiatsu bodywork. She actively engages in community-based art projects and holds qualifications in business coaching through Northumbria’s Internal Coaching Network.

Marta PolákováView profile

Professor

• Contemporary Dance
• Dance Pedagogy
• Choreography
• +3 more

Prof. Marta Poláková is a Professor at the Department of Dance Creation, Faculty of Music and Dance, Academy of Performing Arts in Bratislava. She holds a degree in dance pedagogy (1990) and a doctoral degree from the same institution (2003). Appointed as an Associate Professor in 2011 and elevated to Professor in 2023, her work focuses on contemporary dance, choreography, and Laban movement analysis. She has led the establishment of the Dance Theatre and Performance study focus (2015) and founded the Laban Studio Bratislava (2007), organizing accredited educational programs and international conferences (2009, 2012). Her choreographic collaborations include projects with Slovak theaters and the Willi Dorner Company in Vienna (1995–96). As a researcher, Poláková publishes in Tanec magazine and serves on its editorial board. She is President of the Platform for Contemporary Dance (since 2016) and has been a central figure in independent dance groups like dato (1990–1999) and Dajv (2003–2007). Her career bridges academic teaching, artistic innovation, and international professional networks in movement studies and performance arts.

• Urban Space Studies
• Digital Culture
• Crowdfunding
• +5 more

Dr. hab. Blanka Brzozowska is a University Professor in the Department of Development Economics at the Faculty of Economics and Sociology, University of Lodz. She holds a habilitated doctorate in humanities with expertise spanning cultural studies, urban space, digital culture, and creative industries. Her academic journey began with cultural studies specializing in film and media at the University of Lodz (2002), followed by a PhD in 2006 on flânerie, and habilitation in 2018 on urban crowds and community in networked cooperation. Her research interests focus on contemporary urban space and city culture, digital culture, creativity, creative industries, and somatechnics. She has conducted extensive research on crowdfunding and crowdsourcing as they relate to urban culture, film, and music industries, exploring how digital platforms transform cultural production and urban development. Her work bridges humanities perspectives with economic analysis of cultural phenomena. Brzozowska's publication record demonstrates consistent scholarly output with numerous books, journal articles, and book chapters. Her most recent work examines playable cities, embodied design applications of movement systems, and the challenges of crowdfunding urbanism for contemporary city policies. She frequently collaborates with Patryk Gałuszka on crowdfunding research, particularly examining its impact on film and music industries. She actively supervises student papers, conducts workshops on interpersonal communication and creativity, and participates in international conferences on urban studies, creative industries, and cultural phenomena. Her non-academic passion includes traveling, particularly in Southeast Asia, and she has additional training in movement language and conscious body work through the Laban/Bartenieff Movement System.

Melissa LusherView profile

Professor

• Stanislavsky acting technique
• Michael Chekhov acting technique
• Laban movement analysis
• +4 more

Melissa Lusher is a tenured Professor in the Department of Theatre & Dance at Otterbein University, serving as Associate Chair, Director of the B.F.A. Acting program, Resident Speech and Dialects Coach, and Workshop/Advanced Directing Coordinator. Honored as Otterbein's 2018 Teacher of the Year, she holds certifications in Michael Chekhov technique through the Great Lakes Consortium and is an active dialect coach for regional theaters. Education: M.F.A. in Acting, Carnegie Mellon University and The Moscow Art Theatre (1997) B.F.A. in Acting, Carnegie Mellon University (1993) Her research centers on actor training methodologies, specializing in Stanislavsky and Michael Chekhov techniques, Laban movement analysis, and dialect/accent mastery using IPA. She emphasizes self-discipline components including initiative, ensemble focus, and reflective practice in pedagogical development. Awards & Recognition: Otterbein University Teacher of the Year (2018) Columbus Dispatch Best Ten Productions of 2012 for "SPRING AWAKENING" Andrew Carnegie Society Scholar As Director of the B.F.A. Acting program, Lusher mentors undergraduate performers while coordinating advanced directing workshops. Her professional engagements include dialect coaching for CATCO, Short North Stage, Actors’ Theatre of Columbus, Abbey Theatre of Dublin, and academic institutions including Denison University and Ohio Wesleyan. She maintains active industry affiliations as a VASTA (Voice and Speech Trainers Association) member and regularly directs major productions such as THE CRUCIBLE, "MASTER HAROLD"… AND THE BOYS, and world premieres like INVENTION OF THEATER.

Kevin McClatchyView profile

Associate Professor

• Acting
• Directing
• Theatre Education
• +3 more

Kevin McClatchy is an Associate Professor in the Department of Theatre, Film, and Media Arts at The Ohio State University, where he oversees the acting curriculum and serves as Head of Acting and Directing. He holds an MFA from The Ohio State University and a BA in Journalism from Washington and Lee University. With over 30 years of professional acting experience in theatre, film, and television, McClatchy has been involved in notable projects such as The Tempest with the Royal Shakespeare Company and his solo show Scrap Heap . He directs the Shakespeare and Autism Project and collaborates with the Columbus VA through the Shakespeare & Veterans Initiative. His research focuses on acting techniques, Laban Movement Analysis for performance, and arts-based civic engagement. Education: MFA in Acting, The Ohio State University BA in Journalism, Washington and Lee University Key Roles: Ohio State Artist Laureate (2024) Collaborator with Royal Shakespeare Company Director of Shakespeare and Autism Project Recent Work: Acting credits include Extremely Wicked, Shockingly Evil and Vile , The Old Man & the Gun , and TV series like Outsiders .

Dan SchuchartView profile

Teaching Professor

• Somatics
• Pilates
• Yoga Technique
• +3 more

Dan Schuchart is a Teaching Professor in the Department of Dance at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee (UWM), serving as Dance Advisor and Dance Performance Minor Coordinator. He is Co-Artistic Director of Wild Space Dance Company, known for site-specific dance and interdisciplinary collaboration. His academic roles include teaching at UWM, Lawrence University, Beloit College, and guest engagements with institutions like the Milwaukee Ballet. Education: MFA in Experimental Choreography, University of California-Riverside (2013) BFA in Dance & Painting/Drawing, UW-Milwaukee's Peck School of the Arts Graduate Laban Certificate in Movement Analysis, Columbia College Chicago (2015) Research and creative interests focus on collaborative processes, dance-theatre, improvisation, and somatic practices like Pilates and Yoga. His choreography has been nationally recognized for its 'intelligence, honesty, and psychological insight.' Schuchart also holds certifications in Fascial Fitness Training and has professional experience as a scenic painter for film and theater productions. Awarded the UWM Outstanding Teaching Award (2023), he actively advocates for dance education through his board membership with the Wisconsin Dance Council. Beyond academia, he contributes to artistic communities via residencies, workshops, and cross-disciplinary collaborations with artists like the band Victoire.

Lisa SandlosView profile

Professor

• Gender Studies
• Dance Studies
• Kinesiology
• +3 more

Dr. Lisa Sandlos is a faculty member at York University in Toronto, Canada, with cross-departmental affiliations in Kinesiology, Dance, and Women's Studies. She holds a PhD in Gender, Feminist and Women's Studies and an MA in Dance, complemented by her certification as a Movement Analyst (CMA) through the Laban Institute of Movement Studies. Education: PhD in Gender, Feminist and Women's Studies; MA in Dance Specializations: Somatics, improvisation, interdisciplinary movement/dance modalities Her research examines the sexualization of competitive dance and its impact on young dancers and societal perceptions of dance. She has collaborated extensively with artists across disciplines through programs like the Ontario Arts Council’s Artists in Education initiative and the National Ballet of Canada’s Creating Dances program. Sandlos’ work bridges movement analysis, gender studies, and interdisciplinary arts education, with a focus on somatic practices in dance and community engagement. She co-founded the organization Soma-City with Rennie Tang, exploring intersections of movement and landscape design. Her teaching spans contemporary dance, somatics, and improvisation, delivered in diverse settings including the Toronto District School Board’s Drama/Dance Project and international institutions such as the University of the West Indies.

Alice Pascal EscherView profile

Associate Professor

• Dance
• Choreography
• Modern Dance
• +3 more

Alice Pascal Escher serves as Associate Professor of Dance in Tulane University's Department of Theatre & Dance, where she has been a core faculty member since 1982. She founded and directs the Newcomb Dance Company, Tulane's student dance ensemble, shaping its artistic vision and pedagogical approach. Educational Background: B.F.A. in Dance, Florida State University M.F.A. in Dance, Temple University Her research integrates performance practice with cultural scholarship, focusing on Dance, Choreography, Modern Dance, Ballet, and Laban Movement Analysis. Escher actively contributes to New Orleans' cultural ecosystem through ongoing performances and choreography with local companies, while her academic work includes authoring 28 articles for Twentieth Century Culture: France from 1900-1975 and certification from New York's Laban Bartenieff Institute. This dual commitment to scholarly rigor and community engagement defines her interdisciplinary methodology. Before joining Tulane, she taught at the School of the Pennsylvania Ballet and performed with Sybil Dance Company. As Artistic Director of the Newcomb Dance Company, she mentors emerging choreographers through creative residencies and productions, fostering professional development beyond classroom instruction. Her leadership exemplifies the synthesis of academic theory and embodied practice within Tulane's vibrant arts ecosystem.

Cheryl TurskiView profile

Associate Professor

• Movement for Actors
• Laban Movement Analysis
• Viewpoints
• +4 more

Cheryl Turski is an Associate Professor and Head of Performance in the Maggie Allesee Department of Theatre and Dance at Wayne State University. She specializes in Acting and Movement, focusing on Laban Movement Analysis, Viewpoints, and Ashtanga Yoga integration into performance. Previously, she served as a Visiting Professional Specialist at the University of Notre Dame and an instructor at the ART/MXAT Institute at Harvard University. Her professional experience includes choreography for national directors like West Hyler and Scotty Arnold, notably serving as Associate Director for the international tour of Paw Patrol: Heroes Unite . She has performed internationally in China and regionally at Meadowbrook Theatre, Purple Rose Theatre, and Tipping Point Theatre. Educational background includes an M.F.A. in Acting from the American Repertory Theatre/Moscow Art Theatre School Institute at Harvard, a B.A. from the University of Notre Dame, and a C.M.A. from the Laban/Bartenieff Institute in New York.

Claire FarmerView profile

Senior Lecturer

• Dance Physiology
• Biomechanics
• Dance for Health
• +4 more

Claire Farmer is a Senior Lecturer in Dance at Middlesex University and an Early Career researcher. She serves as the Acting Director of Programmes for Dance and actively contributes to the fields of dance physiology, biomechanics, and health-focused dance research. Education: BA (Hons) in Dance Studies with Drama, Theatre, and Performance Studies from Roehampton University MSc in Dance Science from Trinity Laban Conservatoire of Music and Dance Qualified Strength and Conditioning coach Her research explores the physiological demands of dance, health and aesthetics in mature dancers, special educational needs (SEN), and gender imbalances in dance and sports science. She has collaborated with UK dance and circus companies such as All or Nothing Aerial Dance Theatre, Gravity and Levity, and Dance East CAT Programme. Recent publications analyze upper body muscular demands in ballet/contemporary dance, strength training perceptions, and the social value of movement. She reviews for the Journal of Dance Medicine and Science and sits on the Dance Educators Committee at the International Association for Dance Medicine and Science (IADMS).

• Theatre
• Dramaturgy and Playwriting
• Postcolonial/Intercultural Drama
• +5 more

Ms. Kate Bligh is a part-time Professor at Concordia University, affiliated with the School of Canadian Irish Studies. She holds part-time faculty positions in the Departments of Theatre and English, as well as in Education and Applied Human Sciences. Her work spans directing, dramaturgy, teaching, and artistic direction, with a focus on postcolonial and intercultural perspectives in performance. Kate Bligh earned her M.A. in Theatre Directing from the Drama Centre London and the University of Birmingham, UK. Her career in professional theatre has spanned 28 years, with teaching roles at institutions such as Rada, Mountview, and Birmingham University in the UK before relocating to Canada twelve years ago. Her research interests emphasize postcolonial and intercultural drama, late 20th-century British and Irish playwrights, and the integration of performance skills into public and professional contexts. Kate is particularly noted for her exploration of Irish drama, including collaborations with playwrights like Brian Friel and Martin McDonagh, as well as adaptations of works such as Solibo Magnifique and Baki and the Crocodiles . Her pedagogical approach combines traditional theatre training with contemporary interdisciplinary practices. She has received recognition for her contributions, including a prize from Infini Theatre in Montreal for her work in new play development. As part of her mandate to train emerging artists, Kate leads ongoing research and workshops blending the performer training methods of Jerzy Grotowski with the movement analysis of Rudolph Laban. She has collaborated with Rena Mireçka and Zygmunt Molik, original members of Grotowski’s Laboratory Theatre, and organized workshops in Montreal, such as The Way (2009), focusing on the ritual and spiritual aspects of performance. Kate serves as Artistic Director of the bilingual theatre company Temenos, which has produced works like The Lieutenant of Inishmore and Le Songe / dreamplay (2004). She previously directed the Black Theatre Workshop in Montreal (1999–2001) and co-founded projects such as xstasis , a collaborative performance involving live video and electro-acoustic music.

Andrea HarrisView profile

Professor

• Dance History
• Dance Studies
• Movement Analysis
• +2 more

Andrea Harris is a Professor in the Dance Department at the University of Wisconsin–Madison's School of Education, where she has taught dance history, dance studies, and movement analysis since 2009. She holds a PhD in Theatre Research from UW-Madison (2005), an MFA in Modern Dance from Texas Christian University (1997), and a Graduate Laban Certificate from Columbia College (2011). Her research explores American dance history with focus areas including ballet modernism, therapeutic dance evolution, and feminist historiography. Current work examines dance/movement therapy's development since the early 20th century. Publications demonstrate consistent focus on dance historiography, gender politics in ballet, and transnational influences. Recent works analyze therapeutic dance (2022), American ballet modernism (2017), and social change through dance performance (2016). Awards & Honors: Vilas Associate Award (2019) Summer Humanities Research Fellow (2020) Emily Mead Baldwin Award (2018) CHOICE Outstanding Academic Title (2018) Gertrude Lippincott Award Honorable Mention (2016) First Book Award (2014)

Herbert H. TsangView profile

Professor

• Computational Intelligence
• Bioinformatics
• Mobile Computing
• +4 more

Herbert H. Tsang is a Professor of Computing Science and Mathematics at Trinity Western University (since 2011) and Adjunct Professor at Simon Fraser University's School of Interactive Arts and Technology. He directs the Applied Research Lab and Undergraduate Research Academy, with affiliations including Senior IEEE/ACM memberships and Professional Engineer (P.Eng.) certification. Education includes a PhD in Computing Science (Simon Fraser University), MSEE (Washington University), and MM (Boston University). Research focuses on computational intelligence applied to bioinformatics, human-computer interaction, and mobile systems. Key areas include RNA structure prediction, gesture recognition for musical conducting, and computational criminology. Recent work integrates machine learning with Laban Movement Analysis and crowd dynamics modeling. Publications demonstrate sustained innovation in RNA design algorithms and gesture classification systems, with consistent applications in biotechnology and public safety. Awards include international recognition for educational technology (CNIE 2019, IELA 2018) and conference best papers. Leads multiple labs including the Applied Research Lab, supervising interdisciplinary projects in marine conservation technology and crime pattern analysis. Secured funding from NSERC, SSHRC, CIHR, and Mitacs.

Rachelle TsachorView profile

Associate Professor

• Theatre
• Movement Science
• Somatic Practices
• +7 more

Rachelle Tsachor is an Associate Professor in the Department of Theatre at the University of Illinois at Chicago (UIC), part of the School of Theatre and Music. Her work bridges arts and sciences, using Laban Movement Analysis and Alexander Technique to explore movement's impact on artistic practice, human health, and technological interaction. She has held academic roles at institutions including the University of Iowa, Grinnell College, and guest positions at international universities. Education includes a Master of Arts in Choreography/Directing from City College of New York, a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Dance from Juilliard, and certifications in Laban Movement Analysis and the Alexander Technique. She serves as senior faculty at the Laban/Bartenieff Institute of Movement Studies (NYC) and Israel’s Wingate College. Her research investigates three core areas: movement’s role in artistic creativity, its physiological/emotional effects, and its application to future technology. Notable projects include choreographing theatre productions at UIC and reconstructing Renaissance dance forms like *Nido d’Amore*. Recent work explores affective computing, robotics, and machine learning through movement analysis. Publications span scholarly editions of historical dance manuscripts (*Dances for the Sun King*) to neuroscience studies on emotion regulation. Her TedX talk *How your body affects your happiness* has garnered over 250,000 views. Media features include interviews with *Everyday Health* and *The New York Times*. Labs/Teams involvement includes collaborations with the Labanarium international movement network and co-investigator roles in interdisciplinary research projects. She actively develops somatic training programs and contributes to global health studies through performing arts integration.

Merry L. MorrisView profile

Professor

• Dance Education
• Disability Studies
• Interdisciplinary Design
• +4 more

Merry L. Morris is a Professor in the Dance Program at the University of South Florida, where she has served since 1998. She holds a PhD in Dance Studies from Texas Woman’s University (2012–2017), an MFA in Dance Performance and Choreography from Florida State University (pre-1998), and a BA from the University of South Florida (pre-1996). Her roles include Assistant Director, Interim Chair, and current faculty positions teaching courses like Dance Improvisation, Kinesiology, and Laban Movement Analysis. Dr. Morris’ research focuses on interdisciplinary intersections of dance with disability studies, design, engineering, and health sciences. She pioneered assistive technology for mobility-impaired individuals through patented chair prototypes, featured at the Smithsonian Institution. Her work emphasizes human-material agency dynamics, disability activism, and inclusive design. She leads initiatives in dance medicine via the USF Performing Arts Medicine Collaborative and co-edited Perspectives in Performing Arts Medicine Practice . Awards include recognition from the National Academy of Inventors, Florida Cultural Affairs, and media features on MSNBC, NPR, and PBS. Morris is a member of organizations like IADMS, NDEO, and SDS, and holds American Ballet Theatre® certification. Her grants include Golden Key Research funding (2015) and ongoing collaborations with Arts4All Florida. Morris’ lab focuses on assistive technology innovation, with patents since 2016. She actively bridges academic, artistic, and engineering domains to advance accessibility and interdisciplinary practice.