A LITTLE MORE ABOUT ME...

Qualifications

Diploma in Cognitive Behavioural Therapy

PhD Dance Psychology

MSc Dance Science

BA(Hons) Dance

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CPD

Acceptance and commitment therapy (International Association of Therapists accredited) 

Research mentorship training

Life coaching (individual and group)

Mental health awareness

Counselling skills

Mental health first aid

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Awards and nominations

• Nominated for One Dance UK Health and Wellbeing in Dance Award 2023

• Nominated for One Dance UK Health and Wellbeing in Dance Award 2022

• Shortlisted for One Dance UK Science and Research in Dance Award 2022

• Nominated for One Dance UK Inspirational Lecturer Award 2021

• Shortlisted for One Dance UK Dance Science Award 2019

• Nominated for One Dance UK Research in Dance – Impact Award 2019

• Nominated for One Dance UK Research in Dance – Impact Award 2018

• Nominated for One Dance UK Dance Science Award 2018

• Nominated for One Dance UK Inspirational Lecturer Award 2018

• Won Dr Marjorie Moore Award for research poster “Injury Tracking in Pre-Vocational Dancers”, first-authored by Dr Sarah Needham-Beck, IADMS Annual Conference 2013

• Won Harkness Centre for Dance Injuries Award for research poster “An Inquiry into the Correlation between Knee Injuries and Hypermobility”, first-authored by Stephanie De'Ath, IADMS Annual Conference 2013

• Journal article “Talent Identification and Development in Dance: A Review of the Literature” selected as part of Arts Education Editors' Choice in 2011

• Won first prize award for research poster “Commitment to Elite Dance Training: Findings from the UK Centres for Advanced Training”, British Psychological Society Conference, 2010

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Lecturing and course leadership

I have over 15 years' experience as a lecturer, senior lecturer, and course leader in Higher Education. I worked as a Senior Lecturer and Course Leader of the MSc Dance Science at the University of Bedfordshire for almost a decade. I have substantial experience of lecturing in dance psychology, dance science, inclusive dance, research methods, and dance technique as well as dissertation and PhD supervisor at a variety of institutions including the University of Bedfordshire, the University of Bern, and Trinity Laban. 

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Research projects

Click on the project title to find out more:

• Representation and Equity in Dance (RED project), started 2023

• Hear and Now (2019-2020)

• The Role and Impact of Freelancers in the UK Dance Industry (2018-2019)

• Accessing Pathways to Training for Young Disabled Dancers (2018-2019)

• Generations Dancing (2018-2019)

• Developing Potential amongst Disabled Young People (2017)

• Access, Inclusion and Excellence (2016-2018)

• Independent Dancers: Roles, Motivation and Success (2014-2016)

• Changing Perceptions (2011-2012)

• The Identification and Development of Young Talented Dancers (2008-2011)

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Publications

Book chapters 

• Aujla, I.J., & Jones, L. (2024) ‘Conversations: Developing bespoke inclusive technique for mainstream dance training’, in Colin, N., Seago, C., & Stamp, K. (eds.) Ethical Agility in Dance: Rethinking Technique in British Contemporary Dance. Oxon: Routledge.

• Mainwaring, L., & Aujla, I.J. (2023) ‘Qualitative research’, in Welsh, T., Mainwaring, L., & Ambegaonkar, J. (eds.) Research in the Dance Sciences. Gainesville, FL: University Press of Florida, pp. 180-196.

• Farrer, R., & Aujla, I.J. (2020) 'Notions of place in relation to freelance arts careers', in Weedon, A., & Ashley, T. (eds.) A Sense of Place. London: UCL Press.

• Aujla, I.J., Redding, E., & Jobbins, V. (2017) 'Supporting change: The identification and development of talented young dancers with disabilities', in Burridge, S., & Svendler Nielsen, C. (eds.) Dance, Access and Inclusion: Perspectives on Dance, Young People and Change. London: Routledge, pp. 75-84.

• Mainwaring, L., & Aujla, I.J. (2017) 'Psychological wellness', in Wilmdering, M.V., & Krasnow, D. (eds.) Dancer Wellness. Champaign, IL: Human Kinetics, pp. 71-82.

Journal articles

• Aujla, I.J., Green, S., & Grant, S. (2024) 'The impact of racial discrimination on the wellbeing of dance students', Arts and Communication, 3165, doi.org/10.36922/ac.3165.

• Farrer, R., Douse, L., & Aujla, I.J. (2022) ‘Sustainable arts and health: The role of a university in facilitating an intergenerational, interdisciplinary community arts project’, Journal of Higher Education Outreach and Engagement, 26(1), 89-103.

• Aujla, I.J., Jenkins, L., King, N., & Farrer, R. (2021) ‘Psychological wellbeing and grit among freelancers in the UK dance industry’, Medical Problems of Performing Artists, 36(4), 233-237.

• Jenkins, L., Farrer, R., & Aujla, I.J. (2021) ‘Understanding the impact of an intergenerational arts and health project: A study into the psychological wellbeing of participants, carers and artists. Public Health, doi: 10.1016/j.puhe.2021.02.029

• Aujla, I.J. (2021) ‘Opening pathways to training for young disabled dancers: An action research approach’, Theatre, Dance and Performance Training, doi: 10.1080/19443927.2021.1877805

• Douse, L., Farrer, R., & Aujla, I.J. (2020) ‘The impact of an intergenerational dance project on older adults’ social and emotional well-being’, Frontiers in Psychology, doi: 10.3389/fpsyg.2020.561126

• Needham-Beck, S.C., & Aujla, I.J. (2020) ‘Development of a performance evaluation tool to track progress in an inclusive dance syllabus’, Research in Dance Education, doi: 10.1080/14647893.2020.1746256

• Aujla, I.J. (2019) ‘"It’s my dream come true”: Experiences and outcomes of an inclusive talent development programme’, British Journal of Special Education, doi: 10.1111/1467-8578.12297

• Urmston, E., & Aujla, I.J. (2019) 'Values, attributes and practices of dance artists in inclusive dance talent development contexts', Journal of Dance Education, doi: 10.1080/15290824.2019.1652755

• Aujla, I.J., & Needham-Beck, S.C. (2019) ‘Subjective wellbeing among young dancers with disabilities’, International Journal of Disability, Development and Education, doi: 10.1080/1034912X.2019.1615607

• Farrer, R., & Aujla, I.J. (2016) 'Understanding the independent dancer: Roles, development and success', Dance Research, 34(2), pp. 202-219.

• Nordin-Bates, S., Schwarz, J., Quested, E., Cumming, J., Aujla, I.J., & Redding, E. (2016) 'Within- and between-person predictors of disordered eating attitudes among male and female dancers: Findings from the UK Centres for Advanced Training', Psychology of Sport and Exercise, 27, pp.101-111.

• Aujla, I.J., & Farrer, R. (2015) 'The role of psychological factors in the career of the independent dancer', Frontiers in Psychology. doi: 10.3389/fpsyg.2015.01688.

• Aujla, I.J., Nordin-Bates, S.M., & Redding, E. (2015) 'Multidisciplinary predictors of adherence to dance', Journal of Sport Sciences, 33(15), pp. 1564-1573.

• Nordin-Bates, S.M., Hill, A., Cumming, J., Aujla, I.J., & Redding, E. (2014) 'A longitudinal examination of the relationship between perfectionism and motivational climate in dance', Journal of Sport and Exercise Psychology, 36(4), pp. 382-391.

• Aujla, I.J., Nordin-Bates, S.M., Redding, E., & Jobbins, V. (2014) 'Developing talent among young dancers: Findings from the UK Centres for Advanced Training', Theatre, Dance and Performance Training, 5 (1), pp.15-30.

• Padham, M., & Aujla, I.J. (2014) 'The relationship between passion and the psychological well-being of professional dancers', Journal of Dance Medicine and Science, 18 (1), pp. 37-44.

• Aujla, I.J., Nordin-Bates, S.M., & Redding, E. (2014) 'A qualitative investigation of commitment to dance: Findings from the UK Centres for Advanced Training', Research in Dance Education, 15 (2), pp. 138-160.

• Steinberg, N., Aujla, I.J., Zeev, A., & Redding, E. (2014) 'Injuries among talented young dancers: Findings from the UK Centres for Advanced Training', International Journal of Sports Medicine, 35 (3), pp. 238-244.

• Aujla, I.J., & Redding, E. (2014) 'The identification and development of young talented dancers with disabilities', Research in Dance Education, 15 (1), pp. 54-70.

• Aujla, I.J., & Redding, E. (2013) 'Barriers to dance training for young people with disabilities', British Journal of Special Education, 40 (2), pp. 80-85.

• Sanchez, E.N., Aujla, I.J., & Nordin-Bates, S.M. (2013) 'Cultural background variables in dance talent development: Findings from the UK Centres for Advanced Training', Research in Dance Education, 14 (3), pp. 260-278.

• Walker, I.J., Nordin-Bates, S.M., & Redding, E. (2012) 'A mixed methods investigation of dropout among talented young dancers: Findings from the UK Centres for Advanced Training', Journal of Dance Medicine and Science, 16 (2) pp. 65-73.

• Nordin-Bates, S.M., Quested, E., Walker, I.J., & Redding, E. (2012) 'Climate change in the dance studio: Findings from the UK Centres for Advanced Training', Sport, Exercise and Performance Psychology, 1 (1) pp. 3-16.

• Walker, I.J., Nordin-Bates, S. M., & Redding, E. (2011) 'Characteristics of talented dancers and age group differences: Findings from the UK Centres for Advanced Training', High Ability Studies, 22 (1) pp. 43-60.

• Nordin-Bates, S. M., Walker, I.J., & Redding, E (2011) 'Correlates of disordered eating attitudes among male and female young talented dancers: Findings from the UK Centres for Advanced Training', Eating Disorders: The Journal of Treatment and Prevention, 19 (3) pp. 211-233.

• Nordin-Bates, S. M., Walker, I.J., Baker, J., Garner, J., Hardy, C., Irvine, S., Jola, C., Laws, H., & Blevins, P. (2011) 'Injury, imagery, and self-esteem in dance: Healthy minds in injured bodies? Journal of Dance Medicine and Science, 15 (2) pp. 76-85.

• Walker, I.J., & Nordin-Bates, S.M. (2010) 'Performance anxiety experiences of professional dancers: The importance of control', Journal of Dance Medicine and Science, 14 (4) pp. 133-145.

• Walker, I.J., Nordin-Bates, S.M., & Redding, E. (2010) 'Talent identification and development in dance: A review of the literature', Research in Dance Education, 11 (3) pp. 165-189.