Rachael Davies

Rachael Davies is a curator and M4C PhD candidate at the Centre for Dance Research (C-DaRE), Coventry University, where she is conducting research on the formation and early history of Chisenhale Dance Space. With an interest in material and feminist thinking, this research explores the relationships between Chisenhale and its socio-political context. As part of this research Rachael produces an on-going oral history project entitled 'Listening to Chisenhale Dance Space' available to the public via YouTube.

More broadly, Rachael is interested in experimental dance and performance practices, collective artist models and alternative modes of artistic production. Rachael's research and interests traverse the fields of dance history, performance studies, cultural studies and archival studies. 

In 2020, Rachael curated the first exhibition on the work of the X6 Collective (1976-1980) at Cell Project Space, London; and in 2021 she curated an exhibition on the work of Cycles Dance Company at Rugby Art Gallery and Museum as part of Coventry Biennial. In 2022, Rachael organised a screening programme exploring the work of Chisenhale Dance Space during the 1980s at Chisenhale. This two-part screening programme was supported by an Ivor Guest Research Grant. 

Rachael teaches across art, dance and theatre departments having lecturered at Wimbledon College of Art (UAL) and Coventry University. She is currently assistant editor of Choreographic Practices Journal and communications assistant of the AHRC-funded project: 'Dance Research Matters Networks Mapping project'.