Dance and Science: Is this a New Phenomenon?

Is the merging of dance and science a new phenomenon? Or were we led to believe that the two are completely unrelated. Rather, one was for fun for the kids and the other was more for the adult professionals. Whether you believe this or not you have to admit John Bohannon, a visiting scholar at Harvard University with the help of American Association for the Advancement of Science really seems to be onto something great here. Bohannon describes, "The rules were simple: Using no words or images, interpret your Ph.D. thesis in dance form." He clearifies, "Entrants were divided into three categories—graduate student, postdoc, and professor—and the prize for each was a year’s subscription to Science."

So you think you can dance scientists? Most know that scientists are good at making music but dance? Have you ever experienced the stiff uneasiness of dance at scientist parties or better yet Engineers parties…well as a professional dance instructor I have witnessed a few. However what seemingly started out as experimental DJing at the Research Institute of Molecular Pathology and the Institute of Molecular Biotechnology inflammed into something more…like and all out science party.

A Molecular Dance in the Blood

Reminds me of  "Rap or R&B".  Can you imagine the world if we removed hurtful words and one can only communicate through dance and musical sound?  It would look like this:

Dance Your PhD 2008 *Winner* Nicole-Claudia Meisner \"mRNA Stability\"

We can be greatful for the general direction that "Dance your PH. D. contest" provides.

1. Integration of dance and science
2. Amateur and professional choreographers and dancers working together
3. Being able to see this both live in performance and due to technology as an online video
4. Best of all "The funding for this project points to new and expanded revenue sources for choreographers and dancers" says Doug Fox

Dance Your PhD 2008 *Winner* Giulio Superti-Furga \"Growth Control\"

Who would have known that scientists make good DJs? Thank you John Bohannon for showing us that "Scientists can dance" and thank you Doug Fox for devoting your Internet marketing skills and social media strategies for dancers and dance companies like my own and bringing us your "Dance Your Ph.D. Contest – A Wonderful Merging of Dance and Science."