DU Dance (NI) at the Critical Dance Pedagogy Network

15th January 2025

On Friday 10th January, Artistic Director Mags Byrne was invited to talk at the AHRC Critical Dance Pedagogy Network: Symposium 4: Leadership and Futures in the Drama and Film Centre at Queen’s University Belfast.

The network has been established to foster networking, collaboration, knowledge exchange, and exploration of some transformative practices in Critical Dance Pedagogy.  At these events practitioners and academics from the field of dance engage in discussions and workshops around addressing social assumptions, structural power relations, and inequities within dance and dance education.

Asked to reflect upon her career in the sector, Mags spoke of her experience working in a variety of settings, including internationally and in conflict zones.  Of particular note was her exploration of how dance sits within the cultural landscape in Northern Ireland and the differences compared to other contexts.

The day finished aptly with DU Dance’s Belfast Boys who gave an upbeat and fun-filled performance about which Aoife McGrath, Professor of Dance at Queen’s University Belfast, said:

“…the performance by the Belfast Boys was just a fantastic way to bring some joy and hope to the space.”

Thank you Aoife for inviting DU Dance to be part of this key event.