Research

I work primarily in the fields of philosophy of mind, cognitive science, and aesthetics. My focus is on embodied cognition and interaction processes. My current research looks at the emergence of cognitive structures within large crowds - for example, how crowds of concert attendees can demonstrate advanced problem-solving skills without a centralized leader or full access to information. I am especially interested in peak crowd experiences such as collective effervescence, collective joy, tarantism, crowd mania, or crowd flow.

I also use motion capture technology to track movement and synchronization patterns in group work to understand how group roles (for example, leader, follower, naysayer, loner) can emerge and change through movement and the use of space.  

Given these foci, I also often investigate the cognitive and aesthetic aspects of dance. I have published on the various cognitive and developmental benefits of dance education, dance therapy, and improvisation. In general, I am interested in the various cognitive achievements that fall under the label of improvisation.

My dissertation develops a full enactivist account of vernacular improvisational dance. I create a unified framework of dance cognition that can accommodate novices and experts alike. While much of the aesthetics, cognitive science, and philosophy literature on dance has focused on stage dance and art dance, I focus primarily on vernacular dance, dance at parties, jams, competitions, at festivals, and in the mirror with a blow dryer.

I also have research interests in pedagogy, and I am currently writing a book on embodied teaching techniques for higher education.