The Oxford Handbook of Dance and Wellbeing

In recent years, a growth in dance and wellbeing scholarship has resulted in new ways of thinking that place the body, movement, and dance in a central place with renewed significance for wellbeing. The Oxford Handbook of Dance and Wellbeing examines dance and related movement practices from the perspectives of neuroscience and health, community and education, and psychology and sociology to contribute towards an understanding of wellbeing, offer new insights into existing practices, and create a space where sufficient exchange is enabled. The handbook's research components include quantitative, qualitative, and arts-based research, covering diverse discourses, methodologies, and perspectives that add to the development of a complete picture of the topic. Throughout the handbook's wide-ranging chapters, the objective observations, felt experiences, and artistic explorations of practitioners interact with and are printed alongside academic chapters to establish an egalitarian and impactful exchange of ideas.

Professor Vicky Karkou holds the Chair of Dance, Arts and Wellbeing at Edge Hill University. A qualified dance teacher, researcher and dance movement psychotherapist, she has lengthy experience of working with diverse clinical populations in different settings. She is widely published in peer-reviewed journals and books, and acts as the co-editor of the international journal Body, Movement and Dance in Psychotherapy published by Taylor and Francis. She travels extensively around the world for research and teaching purposes.