Dr Sue Smith

Course Leader, Dance & Choreography BA(Hons)

I became Course Leader in summer 2021 having worked with colleagues in Theatre Arts as an Associate Lecturer since 2017 and before that as Lecturer at Dartington College of Arts. My research interests include; environment and sustainability, dance and health, inter-disciplinary improvisation practice and cross-sector community collaboration. I am passionate about putting into action my belief that dance can be transformational and that inspiration and quality lie in the most unexpected places. I am inspired by the opportunity dance and the arts have in these challenging times to nurture a culture of care and ambition and to support the development of ecologically aware, vibrant and sustainable communities. Recent research projects include Body &... interdisciplinary experimental improvisation spaces and Dancing on the Edge: new movements in climate conscious communities with partners in Iceland, Ireland and Portugal. 

I trained at Northern School of Contemporary Dance and my background includes being an early member of CandoCo Dance Company (1992-99) returning as Associate Director in 2005. I have worked as a collaborating performer on projects including with; Emilyn Claid, Siobhan Davies, Wendy Houstoun, Nigel Charnock, Alias Compagnie. I instigated cross-disciplinary place-based projects in London and SW including with for example; Tate Modern/St Ives, Corporation of London, Sadler's Wells, Rame Peninsula and Plpymouth/Devon/Torbay festivals. Previous artist residencies include with; Live Art Ireland, National Trust, Devon and Cornwall Police, IDAT (Plymouth Uni), Exeter Foyer (homeless shelter) and Plymouth Marine Partnership. I am passionate about inclusive approaches to participation and have taught at Plymouth Dance International Inclusive Summer School and CandoCo Dance Company International Summer School.

I was Executive Director of Dance in Devon (arts and education charity) 2015-2021, leading on a diverse range of cross-sector projects across the county and wider SW. This involved supporting professional artists and aspiring dancers alongside place-making, health and community-building projects. My passion for dance and health was reflected in the many projects I instigated at Dance in Devon eg. Dance for Cancer, Best Foot Forward (falls prevention), All Aboard (young disabled people) and Arts On Call (isolation and loneliness). I feel strongly that art and culture can provoke meaningful conversation to help reveal what matters to us, cutting to the heart of ideas about sustainable communities of care, belonging, value and purpose.

I am a Clore Fellow (2016) and was a Rayne Fellow (2005). I am proud to be a Board member of Gecko Theatre and Chair of People Dancing.

External Links

• Dance in Devon
• A 21st century lifesaver
• TRA: Dance, Health & Well Being
• Dance at Falmouth | Instagram

Contact details

Email sue.smith@falmouth.ac.uk