Two weeks after I defended my doctoral thesis, I left for a month-long trip across Europe. 3 weeks, 4 countries, 7 events, including talks, workshops, and a performance, and many, many conversations with international colleagues and friends. This felt like a real celebration of all the hard work that went into the PhD, because I had the opportunity to share my work, ideas, and research with diverse, interdisciplinary audiences. I also got to re-explore the connections between my artistic practice and academic research.
The first stop was Oslo, where I was invited by RITMO, an interdisciplinary research centre. This invitation came because, serendipitously, Alexander, the director of the centre, is also interested in stillness! We had a week to exchange research approaches into stillness – both artistic and scientific. We closed the week with a site-based performance at a wonderful public library, Deichman Bjørvika. I also got to present some of my doctoral research into embodied pedagogy and mathematics teaching at their weekly seminar. I was thrilled when a cognitive neuroscientist said she finally “got” the idea of cognition being embodied thanks to my presentation!
The next stop was at Freudenthal Institute, a multidisciplinary institute for science and mathematics education at Utrecht University. Anna and I, who met last year, found a lot of common interests and decided to co-present our work to the other faculty at the Institute. Some folks resonated with our approach to embodied learning; others were very resistant to it. This was definitely an opportunity to reflect on the need to sharpen our arguments and strengthen our communication.
I also had the opportunity to share my research with a diverse group of participants at the University of Rome. Here are some reflections from the session:
”Finally, a space where mathematics is explored in an original and collective way.”
”The more central the body and embodiment become, the more classrooms will be organised in ways that allow experimentation with space, time, and self-expression through the body.”
Italy was a different vibe altogether. It was warm and slightly disorganised, reminding me of home! I got an opportunity to engage with artistic research with dancers at Sharing In Roma, and I was really grateful for how welcoming and passionate everyone was. It was thrilling to see how different strands of my research practice interweave so seamlessly.
The trip wrapped up near Frankfurt, where the final workshop meant sharing complex ideas with kids and families, not just academics! It was fun, messy, and so rewarding.
Looking back, what stands out isn’t just the work, it’s the connections, awkward moments of learning, and inspiring conversations with colleagues and friends across cities.