After a long and largely restful summer, it is time for me
to get my head back into the BAPP course and make a start (with a vengenace) on Module 3. Having looked through the Module 3 Handbook, it has helped me to visualise the various stages I will need to go through to get all the elements of my inquiry submitted. It seems like a rather overwhelming workload at the moment so time management is going to be absolutely essential!
I have also had a read through my inquiry proposal submitted for Module 2 just to refresh my memory on the purpose of my research and how I want to structure the next few months in order to get the most out of the limited time I have left. To really get my head around what is to be completed in the next few months; I have written a summary of my project so far using the guidlines set out in the Module 3 Handbook under Task 7a...
Working Title: What legal advice/aid currently exists for professional dancers in the UK and how can these services be greater understood through the work of dance organisations?
Research/inquiry questions and ideas:
Having re-read my
professional inquiry proposal submitted for Module 2; I intend to pursue the
research/inquiry questions and ideas that I have already discussed. These are
as follows:
- What legal issues
are professional dancers, both company members and freelance artists, likely to
face?
- What legal
advice/aid currently exists for professional dancers, both company members and
freelance artists, within the UK?
- What dance
organisations, for example Equity, offer legal advice/aid to dancers and how do
they go about doing this?
- What is a dancer’s
perception of legal advice/aid within the UK and what experiences have they
personally had?
- How can advocacy
for this topic area be developed within the UK looking at the work done by One
Dance UK and how I can be involved?
Ethical issues:
In terms of ethical issues,
the ethics board has approved the research I will be conducting for my inquiry
and I am fully aware of the consent forms that I need to send to and have
signed by my interview and focus group participants (Informed Consent Form;
Audio Recording Consent Form). Additional to this I will be in contact via
email and private message with all of those involved in my research. I will be
clearly informing them of the maintenance of their anonymity and the secure
protection of any data I collect from them.
During Module 2 I also
explored the industry specific codes of conduct/practice upheld by both a
solicitor and a dancer/dance teacher. I will be drawing upon these to ensure
that I approach any individuals involved in my research appropriately with
respect to the nature of their position in a professional capacity.
Literature review:
My literature review is being
further developed from the materials I collected during Module 2. Due to the
large legal aspect of my inquiry, I think I will be relying hugely on
legislation and case law to understand the existing stance on the legal issues
that could potentially be faced by dancers. In terms of books, articles, videos
and websites: I do have a working list of each one of these sources of information.
I hope to find, through further research on these platforms, points for discussion
and pools of information that will be useful throughout my inquiry process.
Changes:
As of yet there are no major
changes to my inquiry however small alterations may develop at a later stage if
the data I collect prompts me in a different direction. I have however slightly
altered my working title, instead using the phrase “how can these services be greater understood through the work of
dance organisations?”
I have chosen the phrase "greater understood" as opposed to "improved" following advice given to me in my Module 2 feedback. It was discussed that I am not necessarily trying to immediately prompt improvement in my area of research but rather bring clarity and understanding to the subject matter.
Ideas for artefact:
My immediate reaction to
creating a Professional Artefact appropriate to the audience of my inquiry
would be to do it in the form of text; perhaps some sort of 'Dancer's Guide to Legal Advice/Aid' in the UK. This could be a leaflet or booklet
offering information and advice to professional dancers regarding legal issues
they may face and how to get help and support. It could describe typical legal issues and solutions; give contact information; website links and images; examples of useful legislation and possibly even a small section on dancer's personal experience. My ideas have been fuelled by digging into previous BAPP students' blogs where I found individuals who had created documentaries, recipe books, videos, posters, leaflets etc. There is certainly lots to think about!
SIG...
Yesterday I also posted a quick update in my SIG (link below) outlining briefly what my inquiry is about and asking for any comments, advice and points for discussion so please do get involved!
https://plus.google.com/u/0/communities/112282308913631891593/stream/e57f61d4-0dfc-496c-a294-d55129bbd4cb
