Janet O'Shea

Janet O’Shea is a professor of dance, culture, & performance studies at UCLA who writes about movement training in dance and other modes of performance including, in this instance, martial arts. 

In addition to her campuswide/open presentation for Ruby Fridays on Friday September 20th, noon-1pm, in the Ruby Lounge, Dr. O’Shea will be here to visit and offer research insights in the Dance 101 undergrad course/Introduction to Dance and the Dance 771S grad course/Theories of Corporeality on Wednesday September 18th.

Engagement Opportunities/Events open to students:

• Creativity and Play - Introduction to Martial Arts Wednesday, September 18, 3:05-4:20pm, Ruby 124
• The Play Principle: Beyond Competition & Failure in Sports Friday, September 20, noon-1pm, Ruby Lounge

Related videos:

• Dance, Martial Arts & Neuroscience: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cys_UbNB_NQ
• Dr. O’Shea’s connects competitive play and politics: https://www.arts.ucla.edu/single/professor-wonders-what-adults-lose-when-they-stop-engaging-in-competitive-play/
• A related TEDtalk on the ideas that O'She surfaces in her new book on Martial Arts, Risk, Failure, and Play: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MWrRkzluCPo