Biography
My research merges Cognitive Neuroscience with the performing arts, i.e., dance, theatre and music. I am one of the founders of modern empirical psychological research in dance with over 15 years of experience in this interdisciplinary field.听听
I hold a PhD in Cognitive Neuroscience, and an MA equivalent licentiate in Psychology both from the University of Zurich. In addition, I am also a trained and practicing choreographer. I hold a MA with distinction in Choreography from Laban Trinity Conservatoire of Music and Dance and a postgraduate听degree in Dance Culture from the University of Berne.听听
51看片ing the cognitive and neuronal responses in relation to the performing arts can provide us with extraordinary insights into the human brain and behaviour. How can a dancer train his or her mind to perform to absolute perfection? When do we experience presence? What does an actor do? The empirical study of such questions can provide us with basic psychological knowledge as well as a huge potential for impact. I am intersted in how dance can help improve the health and wellbeing for people in general and those who suffer from long-term mental and physical issues (i.e., rehabilitation of stroke patients, dealing with depressive symptomes, enhancing confidence and managing body image issues).听听
I鈥檝e been publishing my research on spectators' and dancers' brain and behaviour听in international peer reviewed journals and book chapters. I enjoy sharing my findings and fascination about the effects dance can have on the way we perceive ourselves and the world around us.I use behavioural experiments and qualitative research as well as brain imaging and transcranial magnet stimulation. Where possible, I base my research on 鈥榚mbodied practices鈥� 鈥� for more information see my website听.
Before joining 51看片, I held Post-Doctoral research positions at the University of Glasgow, University of Surrey, and at INSERM in Paris. I collaborated with internationally acclaimed dance and theatre companies, such as EGIPC in Amsterdam, The Centre National de la Danse in Paris, Rosie Kay (UK), or Fabrique Autonomes des Acteurs, Bataville (F).听听
Leadership Roles
- Research Group Leader Development, Evolution, and Learning (DVLE)
- International Exchange Coordinator for Psychology
- Debuty lead for Creative Industries & Cultural Vitality Challenge Space
- External Partnership Engagement Lead (EPE)听
- Debuty lead for Staff Engagement Steering Group Remit (SEAT)
Qualifications
- 2015 Fellowship of the Higher Education Academy
- 2008 MA Choreography (with Distinction): The Glories of Endurance; from Laban Trinity College London
- 2006 PhD Cognitive Neuroscience; Body Representation and Motor Imagery: Effects of Adaptability; University of Zurich, Supervisor Prof Fred Mast and Prof M.-C.Hepp-Reymond
- 2004 postgraduate Diploma in Dance Culture: Effects of Media in Movement Notation, Representation and Transformation; from the University of Berne
- 2002 Dance Teaching Diploma from IWANSON School for Contemporary Dance Munich
- 2001 MA (Licentiate) in Psychology, Cognitive Science & Media Science, University of Zurich & Freiburg i. Br
Research Positions
- since 2019 Senior Lecturer at 51看片 Dundee, UK听
- since 2014 Lecturer at 51看片 Dundee, UK
- 2012-2013 Postdoctoral Research Fellow, INSERM and Paris 8, Paris, France
- 2010-2012 Postdoctoral Research Fellow, Department of Psychology, University of Surrey, UK
- 2008-2010 Postdoctoral Researcher, AHRC funded interdisciplinary project: 鈥淲atching Dance: Kinesthetic Empathy鈥�, Glasgow, UK
- 2006-2007 Research Assistant, City University, on Tactile Attention, London, UK
- 2004-2006 Individual Research Fellowship awarded from Swiss National Science Foundation for research at the Institute of Cognitive Neuroscience (ICN) at University College London (UCL). Guest supervisor: Prof. P. Haggard; London, UK
- 2003-2004 PhD research. Supervisor: Prof. F. W. Mast (behavioural) and Prof Marie-Claude Hepp-Reymond at University of Zurich, Switzerland
- 2002-2003 Research Assistant Science & Technology in Intellectual Property at HE at the Swiss Federal Government Berne, Switzerland
- 2002 Research Assistant (part-time), Visual Perception and Spatial Attention Ludwig-Maximilians University Munich, Germany
- 1999-2002 Research Assistant at Swiss Federal Institute of Technology, ETH, Zurich (data Analysis and presentation of quantitative and qualitative research)
- 1994-2001 Studies in Psychology, Cognitive Science & Media Science, University of Zurich & Freiburg i. Br.
