Alison East
DipPE (Otago) MPhEd (Otago)
Tel 64 3 479 8980
Email ali.east@otago.ac.nz
Background
Ali East (M.Phed Otago) is a Senior Teaching fellow in Dance Studies at the University of Otago, and a dancer, choreographer and educator of more than thirty nine years experience. Her performance work reflects her interest in cross-disciplinary collaborative process and eco-political themes. Current research interests lie in the development of an ecologically based pedagogy for the teaching of dance, assessment of creative process, dance ethnography and, more recently, in dance’s role in inter and trans disciplinary research within the university. Her teaching areas include: somatic education, choreography, dance history and dance and community. She regularly presents and teaches internationally, is a member of several major national and international dance organisations and is a published dance reviewer.
Recent contributions to the field of dance have included: Co- host and co- organiser for ‘Dancing Across The Disciplines’ International Dance Symposium, University of Otago, June 28-30, 2010. Co-host and co- organiser for The National Tertiary Dance Festival (Te Kupenga o Te kani kani, Dance Blogs) Held at The University of Otago, June 30th –July 3rd 2010; Member of TDENNZA, (The tertiary dance Network of New Zealand, Aotearoa); Selection Committee member of Caroline Plummer Fellowship in Community Dance Member of Performing Arts Studies Board, University of Otago.
Research Interests
Alison's broad research interests are within the area of teaching choreographic practice and process and the links between dance practice and education and ecological philosophy. Related to this theme is a strong interest in cross-disciplinary collaborative performance research between the various performing and visual arts. More recently she has turned her attention to the role of dance in a transdisciplinary research setting within the university. She is also researching the efficacy of what she has termed trans-locational education through the facilitation of off-shore dance field trips. She has contributed chapters to several recent publications on the arts in Aotearoa, New Zealand and been a subject of at least two PHd theses on the same subject.
Recent Publications
- East, A. (2011) Teaching Dance as if the World Matters. Eco-choreography: A design for teaching Dance-making in the 21st Century. Lambert Academic Publishing, Saabruken, Germany.
- East, A (2009) Lycra Leotards, Leg warmers and ‘This will last forever’- Dance in the 70s. In Glory Days. Ian Chapman (ed.) (2009) Harper Collins, NZ Ltd. pp.89-93.
- East A.(2007) Interweaving Philosophies of teaching and Dance-making: What can one practice teach the other? Waikato Journal of Education 13:2007.
Recent conference presentations
- East, A. (2010) Transdisciplinary Research Possibilities for Dance Studies within the University. A paper presented at the Dancing across the Disciplines Symposium, University of Otago, June 28-30, 2010.
- East, A. (2009) Critical Issues in Dance Education- A Rationale for an eco-dance pedagogy within the University. Paper presented at The Congress on Research in Dance (CORD) special conference : Global Perspectives on Dance Pedagogy Research and practice. June 25th-27th 2009 De Montfort University, Leicester, UK.
- East A, Rajendren, B (2009) Trans-locational Dance Study: The educational efficacy and outcomes of a trans-cultural field trip from The University of Otago, New Zealand to South India. Published proceedings of World Dance Alliance Conference, New Delhi Nov 30-Dec 3rd 2009.
- East A. (2008) Understanding Identity Through Trans-cultural Dance Education. Presentation Spotlight on Teaching Symposium, University of Otago, Nov 19-21,2008.Published proceedings.
Recent Public Performances
- Shared Agendas 2011 May 12th, 13th Allen Hall theatre University of Otago campus. An inter-disciplinary performance event with members of staff and graduates from Music, Design, theatre and Dance.
- Shared Agendas 2010. May 6th,7th Alan Hall Theatre, University of Otago.
- Concept design, choreographic advisor for ‘Cell’ A Dance Lab production. Conceived and presented for the Dunedin Fringe Festival ,March,2010.
To see details of postgraduate students this staff member may be supervising please visit the Postgraduate Profiles section of our website.
Last updated 7 July 2011
