HDC Annual Conference 2024
Community and Collaboration
November 30 & December 1
Submission deadline: Closed
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Submission deadline: TBA
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Our conference aims to create a dynamic and inclusive platform for knowledge exchange and networking, where participants can engage in stimulating discussions and contribute to the advancement of their fields. We invite artists, practitioners, researchers, and students to submit their presentation proposals. We encourage submissions that support and sustain healthy dance practice and wellness showcased through innovative research, practical strategies, and interdisciplinary collaboration. Whether you have thought-provoking insights, theoretical or practice-based advancements, empirical findings, or case study examples, join us in shaping the conference program by sharing your experience with the dance community.
Conference Objectives
Learning Outcomes
After attending this conference participants will be able to:
Conference Theme
Community and Collaboration
As we plan a hybrid version of this conference, we are reminded of the core value of community and collaboration. We aim to bring people together both in-person and virtually to foster an ecosystem of sharing, collaborating, and creating a community that supports dancer health and wellness. This year, we invite you to explore the meaning and the many facets of community and collaboration through research and practice. What are the ways that you build community and collaborate? How do we foster ecosystems that support sharing knowledge and resources, addressing current issues and creating new opportunities?
Conference Objectives
- Create an accessible event for dance educators, dancers, dance artists, healthcare professionals, and students across Canada and internationally.
- Offer learning opportunities for dance educators, dancers, dance artists, healthcare professionals, and students through workshops and lectures.
- Provide a platform for researchers and students to disseminate original research.
- Provide a platform for dance educators, dance artists, healthcare providers, and students to disseminate professional knowledge and knowledge-through-practice.
- Build community through networking and events.
- Contribute to equity and the advancement of health and wellness, in dance through peer-reviewed presentations.
Learning Outcomes
After attending this conference participants will be able to:
- Recognize current perspectives and theories in dance research and healthy practice.
- Apply knowledge from presentations to teaching, professional practice, and future research.
- Apply evidence-based techniques and knowledge to teaching and professional practice for the health and wellness of dancers in education, training, creation, and performance.
- Identify advances in dance research and professional practice in line with safe, healthy, and inclusive dance practices.
Conference Theme
Community and Collaboration
As we plan a hybrid version of this conference, we are reminded of the core value of community and collaboration. We aim to bring people together both in-person and virtually to foster an ecosystem of sharing, collaborating, and creating a community that supports dancer health and wellness. This year, we invite you to explore the meaning and the many facets of community and collaboration through research and practice. What are the ways that you build community and collaborate? How do we foster ecosystems that support sharing knowledge and resources, addressing current issues and creating new opportunities?
Application Instructions
Title
Include a title for your presentation. Ensure it is concise, descriptive, and captures the essence of your research or presentation topic.
Presentation Type
At this year’s conference we will be showcasing work as 15-minute research or knowledge-through-practice lectures, 45-minute interactive or movement workshops, and 45-minute panel discussions.
Workshop and panel presentations will be followed by a 15-minute moderated question and answer period. Lecture presentations will be grouped within one hour blocks followed by a 15-minute moderated question and answer that all presenters will attend.
Presentations and workshops will be delivered on location at The University of Calgary. We ask that presenters be ready to attend the full two-day conference. However, we understand that travel may be difficult for some presenters. This year we are committed to providing opportunities for remote presentations and will accept 20% of our lecture presentations as pre-recorded virtual presentations. You may indicate your preference for an in-person or virtual lecture presentation but we cannot guarantee your first choice.
Abstract
The abstract for your proposal should be a brief summary of your presentation. The abstract should be written in a clear and concise manner, avoiding excessive technical jargon and providing a compelling overview of your presentation that will capture the interest of reviewers and potential conference attendees. See below for specific instructions.
Word Limit: 350 words
Target audience
Please choose a target audience for your proposal from the following list. You may choose more than one as applicable.
Relevance to conference theme
Please include a statement clearly articulating the relevance of the proposed topic or presentation to the conference theme. Outline how your work aligns with the conference theme and contributes to the overall mission and objectives of the event.
Word limit: 100 words
Types of Studies
Presenter qualifications
Include a short description of the professional and/or academic background of the presenter and/or lead author. Do not include any identifying information such as names of institutions or places of business. For example: “Practicing physiotherapist with 10 years of experience working in sports medicine with dancers and other youth athletes.” Or “Graduate student in the second year of study at a Canadian institution in an interdisciplinary arts program.” Or “Dance artist with extensive performance experience who blends healthy dance practice with artistic approaches to choreography.”
Ethics
Indicate whether your study has been approved by an Institutional Review Board. If accepted, you may be asked for an ethics ID number. Presentations that are not original research with human subjects may indicate that they did not need an ethics review.
Conflict of interest statement
All presenters submitting proposals for the conference are required to disclose any potential conflicts of interest related to their presentation. A conflict of interest may arise when an individual's personal, professional, or financial relationships could potentially bias their presentation or create a perception of bias. Please provide a brief statement in your proposal acknowledging any conflicts of interest that exist or declaring the absence of such conflicts. If you have no conflict of interest, you may include the following statement: “The presenters/authors have no conflicts of interest to disclose in respect to the content of this presentation.”
Research Award
Title
Include a title for your presentation. Ensure it is concise, descriptive, and captures the essence of your research or presentation topic.
Presentation Type
At this year’s conference we will be showcasing work as 15-minute research or knowledge-through-practice lectures, 45-minute interactive or movement workshops, and 45-minute panel discussions.
Workshop and panel presentations will be followed by a 15-minute moderated question and answer period. Lecture presentations will be grouped within one hour blocks followed by a 15-minute moderated question and answer that all presenters will attend.
Presentations and workshops will be delivered on location at The University of Calgary. We ask that presenters be ready to attend the full two-day conference. However, we understand that travel may be difficult for some presenters. This year we are committed to providing opportunities for remote presentations and will accept 20% of our lecture presentations as pre-recorded virtual presentations. You may indicate your preference for an in-person or virtual lecture presentation but we cannot guarantee your first choice.
Abstract
The abstract for your proposal should be a brief summary of your presentation. The abstract should be written in a clear and concise manner, avoiding excessive technical jargon and providing a compelling overview of your presentation that will capture the interest of reviewers and potential conference attendees. See below for specific instructions.
- Lecture presentations: The abstract for lecture presentations should provide a concise overview of the topic, key points, and main findings or arguments. For research and review presentations, clearly state the objective or purpose of your research and outline the methodology, theoretical framework, or approach employed. Summarize the key findings, insights, or conclusions that will be discussed, highlighting their significance and implications. For professional practice presentations, clearly state the objective of your presentation, whether it is to showcase innovative and/or effective practices, outline guidelines, or present a standardized protocol. Describe the practical applications, strategies, or insights that you will share with the audience, emphasizing their direct applicability and benefits in professional settings. Highlight any case studies, success stories, or real-world examples that will be discussed, demonstrating the effectiveness and impact of the practices or protocols being presented. The abstract should convey the practical value of your lecture, offering valuable insights and actionable takeaways that will enhance the knowledge, professional skills and practices of the audience.
- Workshop presentations: The abstract for workshop presentations should provide a concise overview of the workshop's objectives, content, and intended outcomes. Briefly describe the interactive activities, exercises, or discussions that participants will engage in during the session. Highlight the practical skills, knowledge, or insights that attendees can expect to gain from the workshop, emphasizing its relevance to their professional development or field of interest. Emphasize the relevance of your presentation to the target audience or broader field of study and mention any innovative or unique aspects of your approach. The abstract should provide a compelling snapshot of your presentation, capturing the interest of the audience and conveying the value and contribution of your work.
- Panel discussions: The abstract for panel discussion proposals should provide a clear and concise overview of the topic, objectives, and key discussion points that will be addressed during the session. Clearly state the relevance of the panel topic, and highlight the diversity of perspectives that panelists will bring to the discussion. Describe the panelists’ areas of interest and expertise without using any identifying information. Emphasize the value and insights that attendees can expect to gain from the discussion, showcasing the significance and impact of the collective perspectives and exchange of ideas among the panelists.
Word Limit: 350 words
Target audience
Please choose a target audience for your proposal from the following list. You may choose more than one as applicable.
- Students/pre-professionals
- Working dance artists
- Dance educators
- Healthcare professionals
- Somatic practitioners
- Researchers
- Parents
- Other
Relevance to conference theme
Please include a statement clearly articulating the relevance of the proposed topic or presentation to the conference theme. Outline how your work aligns with the conference theme and contributes to the overall mission and objectives of the event.
Word limit: 100 words
Types of Studies
- Knowledge-through-practice: A form of knowledge sharing where presenters share their expertise, experiences, and practices related to a specific field. Showcase practical applications, strategies, and insights that can be directly applied by the audience to enhance their professional skills or address real-world challenges.
- Protocol: A concise and focused presentation that outlines the standardized procedures, guidelines, and expectations for professional conduct. A framework for ensuring consistent and high-quality practices, promoting professionalism, and facilitating effective communication and collaboration among professionals.
- Literature review: A comprehensive analysis and synthesis of existing research and scholarly publications on a specific topic or research question. Critically examines and summarizes the relevant literature to identify gaps, trends, patterns, and contradictions, providing a foundation for the development of new research or theoretical frameworks.
- Descriptive: Research investigations designed to systematically observe, document, and describe the characteristics, behaviors, and attributes of a specific population or phenomenon of interest. These studies aim to provide a comprehensive and detailed picture of the subject under investigation.
- Intervention: A research study that evaluates the effectiveness of a specific intervention or treatment in addressing a particular issue, employing a controlled design to compare the outcomes of the intervention against a baseline or alternative condition. These studies provide valuable evidence to inform evidence-based practices and interventions.
Presenter qualifications
Include a short description of the professional and/or academic background of the presenter and/or lead author. Do not include any identifying information such as names of institutions or places of business. For example: “Practicing physiotherapist with 10 years of experience working in sports medicine with dancers and other youth athletes.” Or “Graduate student in the second year of study at a Canadian institution in an interdisciplinary arts program.” Or “Dance artist with extensive performance experience who blends healthy dance practice with artistic approaches to choreography.”
Ethics
Indicate whether your study has been approved by an Institutional Review Board. If accepted, you may be asked for an ethics ID number. Presentations that are not original research with human subjects may indicate that they did not need an ethics review.
Conflict of interest statement
All presenters submitting proposals for the conference are required to disclose any potential conflicts of interest related to their presentation. A conflict of interest may arise when an individual's personal, professional, or financial relationships could potentially bias their presentation or create a perception of bias. Please provide a brief statement in your proposal acknowledging any conflicts of interest that exist or declaring the absence of such conflicts. If you have no conflict of interest, you may include the following statement: “The presenters/authors have no conflicts of interest to disclose in respect to the content of this presentation.”
Research Award
- Purpose: The Healthy Dancer Canada Research Award aims to recognize exceptional research that contributes to the advancement of knowledge in the field of dance science and promotes the health and wellness of dancers.
- Eligibility: All presenters with original research abstracts may indicate that they wish to be considered for the Healthy Dancer Canada Research Award on the application form. Original research will involve primary data collection, analysis, and findings that contribute to the advancement of new knowledge in the field of dance. Presenters using all methodologies including but not limited to quantitative, interpretive, critical, arts-based, action research, or community-based participatory research are welcome to apply.
- Method of Selection: The peer review committee will evaluate abstracts based on the following criteria:
- Scientific/methodological rigor: Demonstrates a strong research design that is appropriate for addressing the research question.
- Scientific merit/contribution: Provides valuable insights into theoretical conceptualization or constructs, advances understanding in the field of dance science, and has clear potential for practical application.
- Clarity of presentation: Communicates findings in ways that are clear and relevant to the target audience.
- Significance: Aligns with the conference objectives and theme and the vision, mission, and values of Healthy Dancer Canada.
Membership
Should your presentation be selected, you will be required to become a member to present at the conference. Healthy Dancer Canada is committed to equity, access, diversity, and inclusion and welcomes all applicants; those who may not be in a financial position to become members are invited to reach out to the Financial Assistance Program at [email protected]. Presenters will receive discounted conference admission.
Peer-Review
Our anonymous peer review process ensures the quality and integrity of the conference program by subjecting all submitted proposals to rigorous evaluation. Each proposal is reviewed by a diverse group of experts from various backgrounds, disciplines, and perspectives, who bring a wealth of knowledge and experience to the evaluation process. This inclusive approach allows us to foster a comprehensive and balanced assessment of the proposals, promoting diversity, equity, and inclusivity in the selection of presentations. By incorporating the insights and expertise of reviewers from diverse backgrounds, we aim to ensure a broad range of perspectives and ideas are represented, enriching the overall conference experience and fostering a vibrant platform for knowledge exchange. Peer reviewers are selected in consultation with the Equity, Diversity, Inclusivity and Accessibility Committee to ensure a fair representation of the diverse voices in Canadian dance and globally.
Questions?
If you have any questions or need assistance with the application process please reach out to the conference coordinator at [email protected].
Should your presentation be selected, you will be required to become a member to present at the conference. Healthy Dancer Canada is committed to equity, access, diversity, and inclusion and welcomes all applicants; those who may not be in a financial position to become members are invited to reach out to the Financial Assistance Program at [email protected]. Presenters will receive discounted conference admission.
Peer-Review
Our anonymous peer review process ensures the quality and integrity of the conference program by subjecting all submitted proposals to rigorous evaluation. Each proposal is reviewed by a diverse group of experts from various backgrounds, disciplines, and perspectives, who bring a wealth of knowledge and experience to the evaluation process. This inclusive approach allows us to foster a comprehensive and balanced assessment of the proposals, promoting diversity, equity, and inclusivity in the selection of presentations. By incorporating the insights and expertise of reviewers from diverse backgrounds, we aim to ensure a broad range of perspectives and ideas are represented, enriching the overall conference experience and fostering a vibrant platform for knowledge exchange. Peer reviewers are selected in consultation with the Equity, Diversity, Inclusivity and Accessibility Committee to ensure a fair representation of the diverse voices in Canadian dance and globally.
Questions?
If you have any questions or need assistance with the application process please reach out to the conference coordinator at [email protected].