Guest Lecture Series (Online events)

Launched in October 2012, the Faculty of Education’s Guest Lecture Series continues to build bridges with global networks and individuals as well as foster collegial inclusivity.

In October 2020, our Guest Lecture Series events moved into a virtual space, providing greater opportunity and accessibility for colleagues across national and international higher education contexts and practices to come together, to listen to eminent speakers drawn from the fields of dance, education, performance and research. Each Guest Lecture event aims to enrich our RAD communities, including staff, students and alumna, as well as broader networks and connections, through knowledge exchange relating to current thinking, trends and disruptions in and around dance and education.

Past presenters have included key names from dance scholarship, dance criticism, pedagogy and performance, including Rosyln Sulcas (New York Times), Janice Ross (Stanford University), Ross McKim (Rambert School, retired), Thomas DeFrantz (Duke University), Sara Houston (University of Roehampton), Jo Butterworth (University of Malta, retired), John Baldacchino (University of Wisconsin-Madison), Susan R. Koff (Steinherdt, New York University), and Lynn Garafola (Barnard College, Columbia University, retired).

The Faculty of Education’s Guest Lecture Series, curated by the Head of Research, continues to be free, and events are held online via Zoom; bookings can be made via the RAD’s What’s On page or the events below. For any further information, email guestlectureseries@rad.org.uk.

2022-23 Guest Lecture Series

Details on future events will be posted will be shared in due course.

Past online series events

Recordings of past series events can be accessed via the links below.

• On Authoring Dance Education in contemporary times: 08 February 2023
• On Ballet pedagogy in contemporary times: 21 September 2022
• On Critical Dance Studies in contemporary times: 09 November 2022
• Lynn Garafola (Barnard College, Columbia University, USA, retired): 08 June 2022
• Emily Wilcox (William and Mary, USA): 11 May 2022
• Kerry Chappell (University of Exeter, UK): 06 April 2022
• Sherril Dodds (Temple University, USA): 09 March 2022
• John Baldacchino (University of Wisconsin-Madison, USA): 23 February 2022
• Susan Koff (NYU Steinhardt, USA): 02 February 2022
• Gerard Samuel (University of Cape Town, SA): 20 October 2021
• Jude Beck (University of Manchester, UK): 09 June 2021
• Thomas F. Defrantz (Duke University, USA): 12 May 2021
• Mike Fleming (University of Durham, UK): 10 March 2021
• Jo Butterworth (University of Malta, retired): 10 February 2021
• Sara Houston (University of Roehampton, UK): 28 October 2020

Past Guest Lecture Series events

On Authoring Dance Education in contemporary times: Alfdaniels Mabingo (Uganda) and Kristie Mortimer (New Zealand)
Date of event: 08 February 2023 at 19:00 UK time

On Critical Dance Studies in contemporary times: In Conversation with Melissa Blanco Borelli (Northwestern University, president of Dance Studies Association) and Rebecca Rossen (University of Texas, Austin)
Date of event: 09 November 2022 at 19:00 UK time

On Ballet pedagogy in contemporary times: Norma Sue Fisher Stitt (York University, Toronto), Jessica Zeller (Texas Christian University, Corps de Ballet Inc) and Christina Johnson (Complexions Contemporary Ballet, Dance Theatre of Harlem)
Date of event: 21 September 2022 at 19:00 UK time

Between 2012 and 2018, the following Guest Lecture Series events took place at RAD headquarters, London:

2018

Gerard Charles (Artistic Director, RAD) In Conversation with Michelle Groves (Director of Education, RAD): Wednesday 24 October 2018

Amanda Eyles (Choreologist and Ballet Mistress) In Conversation with Anna Trevien (Head of Benesh International): Wednesday 21 February 2018

2017

Roslyn Sulcas (New York Times) In Conversation with Dr Kathrina Farrugia-Kriel (Head of Research, RAD): Wed 25 October 2017

Dr Ross McKim (Choreographer, author, former principal of Rambert School) In Conversation with Dr Michelle Groves (Director of Education, RAD): Wednesday 7 June 2017

2016

The 2016 Guest Lecture Series, curated by Dr Kathrina Farrugia-Kriel, celebrated women who have made a significant mark in the field of dance and dance education in London: Kathryn Wade, Founder Director and former Chief Executive of the English National Ballet School and Trustee of the Royal Academy of Dance (Wednesday 27 April 2016); Jeanetta Laurence, former Associate Director of the Royal Ballet (Wednesday 8 June 2016); and Dr Ann Hutchinson Guest MBE, world-renowned expert in dance notation, highly acclaimed author, researcher on dance and founder of the Language of Dance Centre (Wednesday 26 October 2016).

2015

Politics and Ballet Pedagogy in the USSR: Book Talk by Professor Janice Ross (Stanford University): Monday 5 February 2015

Magpie Dance: Avril Hitman FRSA (Founder of Magpie Dance) In Conversation with Dr Anne Hogan (Director of Education, RAD): Thursday 11 April 2015

2014

Robert Parker (Artistic Director, Elmhurst Ballet School) In Conversation with Dr Anne Hogan (Director of Education, RAD)

2013

Beyond the Tourist Gaze; Snapshots from South African Dance: Book talk by Sharon Friedman (University of Cape Town): Monday 22 April 2013

Lauren Cuthbertson (Principal, Royal Ballet) In Conversation with Dr Anne Hogan (Director of Education, RAD): Monday 11 November 2013

Lynne Wake (filmmaker) In Conversation with Dr Anne Hogan (Director of Education, RAD): Thursday 7 March 2013

2012

Kevin O’Hare (Director, Royal Ballet) In Conversation with Dr Anne Hogan (Director of Education, RAD): Monday 4 October 2012