Claire Farmer, Lecturer in Dance Science, teaches anatomy, dance science and strength and conditioning. Claire holds a BA (hons) Dance Studies with Drama, theatre and performance studies from Roehampton University and an MSc Dance Science from Trinity Laban Conservatoire of Music and Dance. She has had the pleasure of working with dance companies, dance schools, universities and circus companies across the UK, delivering practical workshops and lectures in dance science and strength and conditioning, including All or Nothing Aerial Dance Theatre, Gravity and Levity, Pagrav Dance Company and Dance East CAT programme. Whilst studying the MSc Dance Science, Claire became Manager of the National Institute of Dance Medicine and Science as a staff member at One Dance UK, working with dance science experts across the UK and internationally. Claire is a visiting lecturer in dance science at Roehampton University and is also a member of the Dance Educators Committee for the International Association for Dance Medicine and Science.
Claire’s academic research lies in dance physiology and biomechanics, focusing on upper body strength in dance. This is accompanied by applied practice as a strength and conditioning coach, specialising in coaching pre-professional and professional dancers and circus artists.
Prior to joining Middlesex University Claire also worked for Akademi South Asian dance leading the learning and participation department. She has worked extensively in dance for health, presenting at national conferences and Arts Council England, and training emerging artists to deliver dance in community and clinical settings. This work saw her delivering dance activity in NHS hospitals, care homes, schools and community settings across London with older adults, people living with dementia, cardiac and pulmonary rehabilitation and within paediatric wards and High Dependency Units.
In 2017 Claire was awarded the Lisa Ullman Travelling Scholarship fund to travel to New York City and Kansas City to forge new partnerships and knowledge sharing with dance science experts in the United States including Kansas City Ballet, Westside Physical Therapy, Alvin Ailey American Dance Theatre and the Actors Fund and Friedman Health Center for the Performing Arts.
Italian (basic)
Current areas of research include strength training in dance and circus, in particular upper body strength requirements.
Prior research encompasses dance for health, relating specifically to the use of dance as a tool for rehabilitation in older adults with cardiac or pulmonary conditions.
