Global young dance scholars gather in Shanghai

The 2025 International Young Scholars Dance Forum opened on December 13 at the Shanghai International Dance Center, bringing together emerging dance researchers from around the world.

Hosted by the Shanghai Theatre Academy, the forum was organized by its Journal Center, School of Dance, and the editorial office of Contemporary Dance Art Research (Chinese and English).

During the one-day event, 45 young scholars from 36 universities and institutions worldwide presented research spanning dance history, theory and criticism, creative practice, education and dissemination, and applications of artificial intelligence.

Six senior scholars from the Shanghai Theatre Academy, the Beijing Dance Academy, and the University of Michigan offered on-site commentary, fostering intensive cross-cultural and cross-disciplinary dialogue.

According to Zhang Suqin, editor-in-chief of Contemporary Dance Art Research (Chinese and English), this year's forum featured broader participation, higher-quality and more international submissions, more open interdisciplinary themes with a stronger dance focus, and sustained attention to AI-related research.

After multiple rounds of rigorous anonymous reviews, 45 outstanding papers were selected to form the core topics of four parallel forums.

Organizers announced that the forum will be held on a regular basis, serving as a long-term international platform to support Shanghai's artistic innovation and cultural development.