(Ongoing)
Call for Participants: Dance & AI Research Workshops
This workshop series is part of an ongoing PhD research at UAL Creative Computing Institute and London Contemporary Dance School, investigating Human-AI co-creation. We are hosting three practical 4-hour sessions in May 2026 at the University of the Arts London.
Because our methodology examines both the physical experience and the observation of dancing with AI, each session requires exactly two participants who will alternate between acting as the "practitioner" and the "observer." Due to this collaborative structure, we highly encourage you to apply as a duo alongside a trusted peer or collaborator.
Because our methodology examines both the physical experience and the observation of dancing with AI, each session requires exactly two participants who will alternate between acting as the "practitioner" and the "observer." Due to this collaborative structure, we highly encourage you to apply as a duo alongside a trusted peer or collaborator.
Research Overview
Our research explores "Embodied Negotiation"—what happens when a dancer interacts with an AI sound system that actively responds, adapts, and sometimes resists, rather than just passively following movements. We are investigating how performers physically negotiate shared creative control with technology.What You Will Do
During your 4-hour session, you and your partner will swap between dancing and observing through three phases:- Movement-to-Sound Setup: We will work together to link your specific movement qualities to a live, AI-generated soundscape.
- Co-Adaptive Improvisation: You will engage in free improvisation. The AI will introduce "friction" by slightly changing how it responds to you. While one person dances and negotiates with these shifting rules, the other will act as the observing choreographer, and then you will swap.
- Evaluating the Experience: You will perform a focused improvisation while wearing a non-invasive brain-sensing cap (fNIRS) to record your internal neurophysiological responses. We will finish with a casual conversation about how the experience felt physically and creatively.
Compensation
£100 Amazon Voucher per person upon completion of the session.Eligibility
- Professional dance artists or final-year students.
- Highly comfortable with structural improvisation and discussing your somatic/physical experiences.
- Comfortable wearing a non-invasive, secure sensor cap on your head while moving.
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Absolutely no prior experience with technology, coding, or AI is required.
Logistics
- Dates: May 11, May 15, or May 18, 2026 (You will only attend one session).
- Time: 9:30 AM – 1:30 PM.
- Format: 2 participants per session (Applying as a pre-formed duo is strongly encouraged).
- Location: UAL High Holborn (WC1V 7EY), London.
Data Privacy & Ethics
All data collected during the workshop will be completely anonymized, securely stored on the University of the Arts London cloud service, and utilized strictly for academic research purposes.How to Apply
You can register by completing this Google Form.Please note: Workshop slots will be allocated on a first-come, first-served basis, so we encourage early applications.