معرفی
Sarah Whatley is Professor and Director of the Centre for Dance Research at Coventry University. Her research focuses on the intersection of dance and technology, cultural heritage, and inclusive practices. She has secured significant funding from major organizations including the Arts and Humanities Research Council (AHRC), Leverhulme Trust, Wellcome Trust, and European Commission.
Professor Whatley's research interests center on how digital technologies transform dance documentation, preservation, and practice. Her work particularly emphasizes dance and disability, somatic practices, and the preservation of intangible cultural heritage through digital means. She explores how technology can enhance accessibility and participation in dance while preserving the ephemeral nature of performance.
Her recent publications reveal an evolving trajectory toward human-robot interaction, artificial intelligence applications in dance, and embodied approaches to technology design. These works demonstrate increasing interdisciplinary collaboration between dance, computer science, and disability studies, with a strong emphasis on co-design methodologies and inclusive practices.
Scientific recognition includes:
- CREATE award (2019)
- Culture Moves award (2018)
- E2-CREATE award (2019)
- Identity and Governance of Bodily Extensions project funding (2016)
- International Travel Grant (2014)
Professor Whatley has led an extensive portfolio of research projects spanning two decades, from the foundational Siobhan Davies digital archive project (2006) to current investigations into robotics and AI in dance (2023-2025). She serves as a Strategic Reviewer for the AHRC Peer Review College, has participated in REF panels (2014 and 2021), and acts as an evaluator for the European Commission. Her collaborative approach extends to partnerships with leading arts organizations, cultural institutions, and international research teams.
As Director of the Centre for Dance Research, Professor Whatley fosters an innovative environment where dance artists, technologists, and scholars develop new methodologies for documenting and preserving dance as living cultural heritage, with particular attention to inclusive and accessible practices.
