MAITREYEE BURAGOHAIN PhD: Inaugural Doctoral Lecture ‘What Opportunities for Personal Development can Dance offer for Children Experiencing Complex Needs?’

Description

In this lecture, Dr Maitreyee Buragohain will discuss her qualitative research on the opportunities that dance provides for the personal development and inclusion of children experiencing complex needs. She will begin with an introduction to the children she worked with and the contexts in which they engaged with dance. The motivations behind the study will be explained, highlighting the importance of creative movement in fostering confidence, self-expression, and social connections. The rationale behind the study will also be examined focusing on the significance of social inclusion and personal development for children. Dr Buragohain will outline the research methodology, detailing the use of video observations and interviews to investigate the opportunities dance provides. During the project, this approach allowed her to analyse interactions, engagement levels and developmental progress in a structured manner. Dr Buragohain will summarise the data analysis process, key findings, and their implications, followed by future research directions, including expanding dance-based interventions to enhance personal growth and inclusion for children experiencing complex needs.

Dr. Maitreyee Buragohain is a researcher and educator specialising in the intersection of dance and special education. Her PhD from the University of Northampton investigated how dance provides opportunities for personal development and inclusion to children experiencing complex needs. With a career spanning both India and England, Dr. Buragohain has worked as a Special Educational Needs teacher, teaching assistant, and dance instructor, using dance to enhance social and communication skills in children with diverse needs. She currently supports pupils with special educational needs in a local school while actively contributing to inclusive education practices. Beyond academia, she collaborates with a Community Interest Company that brings dance to children with diverse needs, empowering them to connect with their local communities through creative movement. She regularly presents at conferences and is working toward publishing her research in academic journals. Passionate about bridging research and practice, she continues to explore innovative ways to use dance for personal growth, inclusion, and community engagement.

Dr Buragohain completed her PhD under the supervision of Professor Richard Rose and Professor Jane Murray.

Period	3 Jun 2025
Event type	Other
Location	Northampton, United KingdomShow on map
Degree of Recognition	International