Young, talented dancers in contemporary dance training: widening participation and fair access, rhetoric or reality?

Socio-economic disadvantage can be a significant barrier to accessing high-quality dance training for young, talented dancers. Government policy and strategy relating to widening participation and talent development in the UK are premised on raising aspirations and meritocracy. In this presentation, Pierre Bourdieu’s conceptual framework of field, capital and habitus is used to examine social variations, that can act as barriers to talent development in dance. Interviews with 33 talented, contemporary dancers attending a Centre of advanced Training programme, between the ages of 13–16 years, from a variety of backgrounds were undertaken. Findings suggest the dancers’ have experienced barriers to access, but also capital gain, symbolic exchange, and transformative potential.

Inspired by our Church of England foundation, Canterbury Christ Church University’s mission is to pursue excellence in higher education: transforming individuals, creating knowledge, enriching communities and building a sustainable future.

It is only since the Education Act of 1870 that most primary-aged children have attended school, and it was not until the Education Act of 1944 was there an expectation that all children, including those from the working class, get free education up to the age of 16 years. Since that time, the class system has dictated the nature and remit of schools, and many would argue that it continues to do so. Drawing on several disciplines across the Faculty of Arts, Humanities and Education, we warmly invite you to join us as we explore some of the most pressing issues around class, education and social change in 21st Century. The talks will introduce you to some of the great educationalists of our time, offering a “language of critique” of existing power relations and a “language of possibility” for creating a new society through educational and social practice (Giroux, 1985).

To ensure the safety of our guests and speakers and following government guidance, the lectures will be presented online (using web browsers Chrome, Firefox or Safari - not Internet Explorer or Edge) and booking is required.

Each lecture will last for 50 minutes and there will be the opportunity to ask questions of the speakers, which will be answered during a live question and answer session that will take place at the end of the lecture.

The lectures will be recorded and made available after the live event takes place.

All ticket holders will find access details on their Print at Home tickets. Please book one ticket for each device you will be using, rather than per person, i.e. book one ticket if there will be two of you viewing together.