Janaína Moraes
The autonomous nature of the Dance Studies programme empowered Janaína Moraes to design her own PhD journey.
“When I first contacted my supervisors from Brazil, I sensed a genuinely welcoming atmosphere. I was surprised by how much care and investment they put into supporting me from afar. Coming from another country, I knew there would be differences in how research is done. Their guidance made a huge difference in helping me understand how the PhD programme works at the University of Auckland.
“Ultimately, the deciding factor for studying at the University of Auckland was the autonomous nature of the Dance Studies programme. I can co-design my journey with the guidance of my supervisors. There is a lot of flexibility that lets me connect with other faculties and implement a range of diverse initiatives during my research journey.
“My doctoral research investigates notions of resid(enc)ing, invitation poetics and practices of language transition. These are umbrella terms for a dance practice that is invested in an expanded understanding of choreography, where social, pedagogical, political and relational fields are valued as dance processes.
“In a way, my research reminds us that we all are bodies and, therefore, could benefit from listening to our embodied knowledge. I engage with art residencies and live performances as a way to invite (and be invited by) other people to connect with plural and ever-shifting forms of knowledge that we can generate when fostering communities of movement.
“I have had the pleasure of connecting with so many cultures, languages and ways of experiencing the world! There is a beautiful and diverse cohort of students and staff at the University of Auckland.
The richest experiences I have had during my studies have been through building relationships, both personally and professionally.
“I am passionate about building relationships between artists, art communities and academia. My studies have definitely broadened my perspective on how to make this happen, and I am keen to collaborate with other professionals and scholars to foster these connections.
“My advice for any future international doctoral students is to test, talk about, and play with your research. Sometimes the most fascinating pieces of knowledge you create come by surprise! I think you can approach your work earnestly and critically while also taking pleasure in the process.”