Louisa Petts

Thesis title:

The wellbeing of an ageing dancer: an enquiry into the experience of community dance practice in older adult populations

My research interests lie in the psychosocial wellbeing and experience of older adult populations in community dance contexts. Currently, my research questions whether community dance classes in different dance genres all offer entirely unique experiences of wellbeing for older adults.

Research Area

Dance

Conferences

October 2021, Presentation, 31st Annual Conference of the International Association for Dance Medicine & Science, Denver, Colorado, USA

June 2021, Conference Organiser, Centre for Dance Research (C-DaRE) PGR Symposium, Coventry University

March 2021, Poster Presentation, Doctoral Capability and Development Conference (DCAD21), Coventry University

Public Engagement & Impact

Guest on SciDance podcast, 'Episode 18: Recent graduate research with Julie Ferrell-Olson, Louisa Petts, and Sam Beckman' to discuss my research in community dance.

Memberships

2021 - present: International Association for Dance Medicine & Science

2020 - present: People Dancing: the Foundation for Community Dance

Education

2019, Master of Science - MSc, Dance Science, Trinity Laban Conservatoire of Music and Dance, Distinction

Dissertation topic: an exploration into the experience of family caregivers for persons with dementia in community dance classes
Module topics: Physiology, Biomechanics, Psychology, Somatic Practice, Statistics and Research Methodologies

2018, Bachelor of Arts - BA, Dance Studies, University of Roehampton, First Class Honours

Dissertation topic: Using dances created under the Nazi Regime 1933-1945 as a case study, what issues arise in relation to ethics?
Module topics: Dance History, Dance Philosophy and Aesthetics, Dance Science, Dance Movement Psychotherapy, Dance Culture and Society, Limón technique, Graham technique, Dance Improvisation and Composition
Dance Programme Representative for the University of Roehampton Dance Department (2015-2018)
Vice President of Roehampton Dance Society (2017-2018)
Artistic Director of Dance Platform in aid of The Amici Dance Theatre Company where over £2,000 was raised (2016-2017)

Awards and Scholarships

2020, Midlands4Cities Arts and Humanities Research Council Doctoral Studentship Award, Coventry University

2018, Trinity Laban Dance Award Scholarship, Trinity Laban Conservatoire of Music and Dance

2018, Best Dissertation Prize for BA in Dance Studies, University of Roehampton

2014, Grade 6 Reading for Performance, London Academy of Music and Dramatic Art

2013, Grade 8 Speaking Verse and Prose, London Academy of Music and Dramatic Art