CALL FOR CONTRIBUTIONS IS CLOSED

Introduction

In a rapidly changing world, we are compelled to reconsider the importance of closeness and farness as professionals whose practice uses embodied space, time and relationship to gravity as key elements. Humanity seems to be accelerating rapidly into an increasingly complex and predominantly digitized era with new means of communicating via social media, and accelerated technological advancements being rapidly incorporated into daily life. These developments are at the same time being mirrored by people feeling increasingly isolated. Pandemics are causing isolation, restrictions in touch, social distancing and distant socializing. All of this creates new more stressful and predominantly disembodied environments in which we live. 

Bridging the gap between the real and virtual world or coping with the consequences of that growing gap is a challenge for our profession as dance movement therapists like never before. This ‘bridging’ process must include ways of transforming perceived obstacles or threats into new approaches, which fit these challenging times, providing inspiration and relief of suffering; while allowing all in our care not just to cope but also to flourish in these conditions. 

We work with our clients sharing time and space in a therapeutic relationship that helps them to feel, to let go and express deep parts of themselves. Technology accelerates time and opens up new spaces for us all, where we take advantage of our creativity and flexibility in order to keep alive, as far as possible, the special nature of the embodied encounter in this new world. We renegotiate the shared space, the ways we connect, the sensorial channels we use. We open up to new possibilities, while attending to the profoundly ethical and respectful ways we meet, address and treat increasingly complex expressions of mental ill-health.

This exciting conference aims to address the themes described above and we call here for proposals reflecting a wide range of high-quality embodied, creative and neuroscientific approaches and research that help to ‘bridge these gaps’, contributing to choreographing a new world by way of the work of the contemporary dance movement therapist. 

Conference sub themes are:

1. FROM CLOSE TO FAR: Impact of isolation and non-touching on the body experience: neurological effects; restrictions and controlling impulses vs free flow of action; freedom vs constriction of movement; working with differently abled.
2. FROM FAR TO CLOSE: Evolution of DMT approaches and methodology:  digital and other solutions for DMT; how as professionals we manage connection v. disconnection; living in isolation without contact; different effects of transformation on cultural diversity and inclusion (e.g. BIPOC).
3. IMPROVISING/CHOREOGRAPHING GROWTH: Growth and embodied self-care:  embodied and creative strategies for health care professionals and clients to take care of themselves in challenging times. Development of the profession in the new world: assessment, evaluation, research and continuing education.

The Conference Organizing Committee cordially invites you to submit your proposal on the conference themes

Formats of proposals:

• Short Oral Research Presentation – 20 minutes + 10 minutes Q&A
• Medium Oral research Presentation 45  minutes  + 15 minutes Q and A
• Short Oral Clinical Case Study Presentation – 20 minutes  + 10 minutes Q&A
• Medium Oral clinic Case Study Presentation – 45 minutes + 15 minutes Q and A
• Poster Presentation – 10 minutes
• Workshop Presentation – 60 to 90 minutes
• Film presentation – 15 minutes + 5 minutes Q&A
• Performance Art /Happenings (Street Art to Dance Art)

 The criteria for selection will be:

• Relevance to conference theme:  How far is far? How close is close? Choreographing a new World
• Quality of content
• Innovation, originality and relevance of subject matter to DMT
• Standard of English (which should be appropriate for an academic conference)
• Adherence to Conference Format guidelines

The selection committee will also take into consideration:

• The balance of representation across countries
• Constraints of conference accommodation and structure of the conference programme

Reduced Fee for presenters: 290 euros