We are made up of researchers and practitioners in dance, health, and digital technology. Some network members have lived experience of chronic pain or have family members who live with pain. Several of us move between many and all of these things – dance, health, technology and experiences of pain. We welcome those who are interested to be involved to get in touch, especially those with lived experience of persistent pain.
Organisers/ Investigators
The AHRC network (2019- 2021) was initially led by Principal Investigator – Dr Emma Meehan, Centre for Dance Research, Coventry University (research profile) and Co-Investigator – Professor Bernie Carter, Faculty of Health and Social Care, Edge Hill University (research profile)
We received Research Support from Dr Sarah Charles, Research Associate, Nottingham Trent University; Kauser Husain, Research Delivery Support Partner, Coventry University and Dr Micia de Wet, Centre for Dance Research, Coventry University and independent artist-researcher.
Board
Our board was set up in March 2022 to continue the work of the network. New board members were added in June 2026.
Bernie Carter, Professor of Children’s Nursing, Edge Hill University
Elena Catalano, Senior Lecturer in Dance (Kingston University of London) and Independent Dance Artist (Bhumi Dance Academy)
Rosamaria (Rosemary) Kostic Cisneros, Associate Professor in Dance, Centre for Dance Research, Coventry University
Louis Green, Doctoral researcher (Dance and Somatic Practices), Bath Spa University / University of Roehampton
Aline Nogueira Haas, Professor, School of Physical Education, Physiotherapy and Dance, Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul
Benjamin Hickman, Associated Lecturer Exercise Physiology, UNSW Lifestyle Clinic
Ana Leitão
Eline Kieft, dance scholar, author and facilitator, The Way of the Wild Soul, France
Eugenia Kim, independent artist-researcher, Hong Kong and Singapore
Michael Loizou, Associate Professor in Digital Health, Centre for Health Technology, University of Plymouth
Anna Macdonald, Reader in Movement at UAL: Central St Martins
Emma Meehan, (Network Coordinator) Associate Professor in Dance, Coventry University
Dieter Rehberg, Director of the Somatic Training Academy, Somatic Practitioner and Independent Researcher
Ala Szczepura, Professor of Health Technology Assessment, Coventry University
Ian Tennant, Lecturer in Biomedical Science, Angela Ruskin University; Wellbeing Coach and Founder of Thrive & Enjoy, UK
Adriane Vieira, Associate Professor, Physical Therapy Program and Graduate Program in Human Movement Sciences, Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul (UFRGS), Brazil.
Associates
Our first group of Associates joined in June 2026.
Achuthamanasa
Lucy Bennett, independent researcher, and activist (IG: @lucybennettresearch)
Ying-Chih Heidi Chen, PhD student in Faculty of Health, Social Care and Medicine, Edge Hill University
Sally Davison, PhD Cotutelle Candidate in Somatics and Dance: Deakin University, Melbourne, Australia; and Centre for Dance and Research, Coventry University, UK
Greta Gauhe, independent artist-researcher (IG: @gretagauhe, LinkedIn: greta-gauhe)
Liz Pavey, Assistant Professor of Theatre & Performance, School of Design, Arts and Creative Industries, Northumbria University (LinkedIn: liz-pavey)
Previous participants/ consultants
Between 2019-2021, we held workshops, webinars, interviews as well as creating videos and blogs. Participants, guest speakers and consultants from that time are listed below. Over the years, the list has expanded to include past board members and new collaborators.
Ross Armstrong, Associate Professor in Musculoskeletal and Population Health, University of Cumbria
Tamara Ashley, Senior Lecturer in Dance, University of Bedfordshire
Susan Brooks, independent interdisciplinary researcher
Rachel Cherry, dance and performance photographer and PhD candidate in Creative Practice (Collaborative Arts) at Trinity Laban
Lisa Dowler, independent dance artist, Alder Hey Children’s Hospital
Mark Edward, Reader in Creative Arts, Edge Hill University
Ruth Gibson, Associate Professor in Dance, Centre for Dance Research, Coventry University
Gina Giotaki, Assistant Professor in Dance, University of Peloponnese
Julie Hanna, Lecturer in Occupational Therapy/Life Sciences, University of Liverpool
Nessa Healy, Clinical Specialist in Musculoskeletal Physiotherapy, Blackrock Clinic, Ireland
Sung Im Her, independent dance artist
Sarah Hopfinger, Lecturer in Contemporary Performance Practice, Royal Conservatoire of Scotland, and independent artist
Maisie James, PhD candidate in somatics and pain, Birmingham City University and network board member 2022-2024
Maria Kapsali, (Theme Lead: Creative Ageing 2024-2025) Associate Professor in Physical Performance, University of Leeds and network board member 2022-2026
Vicky Karkou, Chair of Dance, Arts and Wellbeing, Edge Hill University
Ka Nang David Leung, Independent embodiment and somatic educator
Jane Martindale, NIHR Clinical Lecturer, Lancaster University; Clinical Specialist Physiotherapist/ Therapy Research Lead, Wrightington, Wigan and Leigh NHS Foundation Trust
Clara Meehan, Senior Occupational Therapist, Professional Project Lead, Health Services Executive, Ireland
Pete Moore, Founder of the Pain Toolkit
Ceri Morgan, Senior Lecturer in English Literature and Creative Writing, Keele University.
Toshio Nomura, Director Nomura Dimensions, Visiting Professor at Yamaguchi University, Visiting Professor, Faculty of Health and Life Sciences, Coventry University
Elaine O’Sullivan, researcher in theatre, performance and dance studies; Research Manager, Queen Mary University of London.
Helen Payne, Professor of Dance Movement Psychotherapy, University of Hertfordshire
Mo Pietroni-Spenst, interdisciplinary artist, producer and scholar, sessional lecturer, Canterbury Christ Church University
Sara Reed, Independent researcher and somatic practitioner
Harbinder Sandhu, Professor/Consultant Health Psychologist, Warwick Clinical Trials Unit, University of Warwick
Lisa May Thomas, Dance artist, PhD candidate, Department of Theatre, University of Bristol
Jane Toms, Alexander Technique Teacher, West Midlands; and Senior Lecturer in Physiotherapy, Coventry University
Becca Weber, Lecturer in Dance, University of Auckland
Micia de Wet, PhD candidate, Centre for Dance Research, Coventry University
Catherine Wilkinson, Senior Lecturer in Education, Liverpool John Moores University
Andrea Wright, Physiotherapist and Somatic Practitioner, Integra Therapy, UK
Rob Young, independent writer and Faculty Associate at NHS Research & Development North West
