When science meets dance

In the first of this new series exploring collaborations between the arts and science, Professor of Comparative Cognition, Nicola Clayton FRS, and outgoing Artistic Director of Rambert, Mark Baldwin CBE, discuss how animal intelligence can inspire fresh ideas in choreography and reveal unexpected connections between their two practices.

In collaboration with The Royal Academy of Arts, we present the first in a series of conversations between leading scientists and artists, exploring how experimentation, curiosity and creative thinking are central to both science and the arts. Through this series we discover how emerging technologies can drive artistic practice, how art can develop new approaches to scientific problems, and what makes for a successful collaboration between the two disciplines.

Professor of Comparative Cognition Nicola Clayton FRS has held a position as Scientist-in-Residence at one of the world’s leading independent dance companies, Rambert, for over 10 years. Mark Baldwin CBE is Rambert’s outgoing Artistic Director. 

Clayton and Baldwin have collaborated on several new choreographic works inspired by science including Seven For A Secret Never To Be Told, What Wild Ecstasy, The Strange Charm of Mother Nature, the Laurence Olivier award-winning Comedy of Change, and most recently The Creation. They are also developing a book about their creative collaborative exchange called Movement in Mind: A Series of Beautiful Questions, with illustrations by Baldwin.

In this event, they join Dr Erinma Ochu MBE (University of Salford) to discuss psychology, embodied cognition, choreography and animal intelligence, and what makes a productive collaboration between the arts and sciences.

Attending this event

• For all ticket enquires, please contact the Royal Academy
• Doors open at 6.15pm
• Travel and accessibility information

For non-ticket enquiries, please contact events@royalsociety.org