معرفی
Elisabeth Motley (she/they) is an Associate Professor of Dance in the Department of Dance at MMM University, College of Arts and Humanities. Their work bridges choreography, scholarship, and activism, with a focus on disability as a framework for creative and socially just practice.
Education:
- B.F.A. in Dance, The Juilliard School
- M.F.A. in Interdisciplinary Arts, Goddard College
- Ph.D. in Dance Studies, University of Roehampton
Elisabeth's research centers on disability in dance, exploring crip aesthetics, accessible pedagogy, and the reclamation of space by disabled bodies. They co-created the Crip Movement Lab with Kayla Hamilton, a transformative framework for cross-disability movement practices. Their artistic work investigates how choreography can challenge systemic ableism and amplify disabled voices in performance and education.
Their recent publications in Dance Chronicle reflect a strong trend toward disability justice, redistribution in the arts, and choreographic methods rooted in leakiness and non-normativity. These works contribute to broader conversations on embodiment, access, and the politicization of movement.
Scientific Awards and Recognitions:
- Fulbright US-UK Scholar Award (2018-2019)
- Dance/NYC Disability. Dance. Artistry. Fellow (2020, 2021)
- Movement Research Artist in Residence (2019-2021)
- Brooklyn Arts Exchange Artist in Residence (2025)
- Grants from Foundation for Contemporary Arts, Mertz Gilmore Foundation, and NYSCA
Elisabeth has been actively involved in disability dance activism and organizing, leading community-based projects and securing competitive grants to support artistic research. They mentor and collaborate with disabled artists and scholars, fostering inclusive dance ecosystems. Their artistic-scholarly practice is supported by residencies and funding that reflect national recognition of their contributions to accessible and justice-oriented dance.
They co-lead Crip Movement Lab, a collaborative initiative that creates accessible movement spaces for disabled and non-disabled accomplices, emphasizing connection, desire, and collective wisdom across accessibility borders.
