Why doesn't embodied knowledge matter (yet)?
Nederlandse Dans Dagen — Program 2026
How can embodied knowledge be given a rightful place in dance? And why is this knowledge not yet recognised as a form of thinking, learning and understanding?
During this Dutch Dance Research event, practitioners, researchers, educators and the public will engage in a discussion about embodied knowledge. Dutch Dance Research is a collaboration between Nederlandse Dansdagen/dansMuseum, ICK Dans Amsterdam and Fontys Academy of the Arts, and is committed to the visibility, continuity and accessibility of dance research in the Netherlands.
Following on from last year’s discussion, ‘Why Embodied Knowledge Matters’, the 2026 conversation ties in with the festival’s focus on the dynamics between culture and identity. For how can we speak of identity, culture and transmission without also listening to what the body knows, carries and passes on?
Under the title ‘Why doesn’t embodied knowledge matter (yet)?’, we will explore how knowledge arises, is experienced and is passed on within dance practices. What role do language, representation and documentation play in its recognition? And how can institutions contribute to a broader appreciation of this form of knowledge?
Date: Sunday 4 October, 12:00–13:30
Speakers: Dr. Caroline Ribbers, Stephen Shropshire, Dr. Suzan Tunca
Language: English
A stage for dance research with societal relevance.
Dutch Dance Research provides a platform for dance research in the Netherlands with the aim of making the necessity of research for the art of dance and its social relevance visible and accessible to a wide audience.
Dutch Dance Research is a joint initiative of the Netherlandse Dansdagen, the dansMuseum and ICK Dans Amsterdam. In 2025 forces were joined with new partners Fontys Academy of the Arts and the Hans van Manen chair, University of Amsterdam.
Archive
— 2025
. Why Embodied Knowledge Matters – A collective research (Caroline Ribbers, Stephen Shropshire, Suzan Tunca)
. Dances of Power and Rebellion – Lecture prof. dr. Gabriele Klein
— 2024
. Stephen Shropshire, lecture PhD research “How to jump?”
. Research presentations by Flavia Pinheiro, Cheroney Pelupessy and Jeanne Hensinger
. Roundtable on dance, theory and artistic research with Gabriele Klein, Maaike Bleeker, Jeroen Fabius en Liesbeth Wildschut, moderated by Stephen Shropshire and Suzan Tunca
— 2023
. The Intuitive Body, performative lecture with Suzan Tunca and Maria Ribas
