Aoife McGrath

Prof. Aoife McGrath is a Professor of Dance at Queen's University Belfast's School of Arts, English and Languages. She holds a BA (Hons) in Drama and German from Trinity College Dublin and a PhD in Dance from the same institution. Her research focuses on practice-as-research in dance, interdisciplinary collaboration between dance and sciences, and the intersection of dance with maternal experiences, borders, and policy. She has led numerous projects like the AHRC-funded 'Parenting and Dance Network' and 'Dance Connects,' exploring maternal health representation and cross-border cultural initiatives.

Her educational background includes a State-Certified Dancer qualification from Munich's Hochschule für Musik und Theater and roles as Dance Advisor for the Irish Arts Council. She mentors postdoctoral researchers and supervises PhD students in dance studies and maternal health collaborations.

Aoife’s work bridges artistic practice with academic inquiry, evident in projects like 'Let Down' (on breastfeeding experiences) and 'Impossible Worlds' (using 360 film for post-natal depression narratives). She has been recognized with awards such as the Being Human Award and multiple Faculty Research Initiative grants. Her teaching spans dance theatre, choreography, and interdisciplinary methodologies.

Current projects include 'Youth Dance Matters,' investigating youth dance's cultural value, and 'Sites of Significance,' exploring dance pathways in rural border regions. She serves on global committees like the DSA’s Finance and Development group and champions inclusive policies through her role as SWAN Co-Champion AEL.