Naomi Barber

Overview

Naomi runs the Contextual department at Urdang, City, University of London, and oversees the development of courses and programmes. She lectures across all years across courses including Study Skills, Preparation to Research, Dissertation and Critical Reflection.

Naomi trained at the University of East London, graduating with a First Class Honours in Dance: Urban Practice, and completed her MA in Cultural and Critical Studies at Birkbeck, University of London.

Naomi is trained in Ballet, Tap and Modern, as well as studying Hip- Hop and Global dance styles in both practice and theory, specifically focusing on cultural histories of popular dance. Naomi's research has focused heavily on urban styles, particularly in Hip-Hop and Funk styles both academically and vocationally, studying their histories, cultures and context, and their place in Community Dance in the UK. It has also focused on cultural appropriation and issues of power in British Hip-Hop dance theatre, examining how the ethos of Hip-Hop culture is transformed through its adaptation into a theatrical art form.

Naomi has contributed to book publications in her field, alongside developing her own research, and is a member of the Society for Dance Research.

Qualifications

• MA Cultural and Critical Studies of the Arts, Birkbeck, University of London, United Kingdom, Oct 2016 – Jan 2019
• BA Urban Dance Practice, University of East London, United Kingdom, Sep 2009 – May 2012

Employment

• Head of Studies and Programme Development at Urdang, Lecturer in Performing Arts, City, University of London, Aug 2019 – present
• Programme Coordinator & PA to the Dean, London Studio Centre, Jul 2013 – Jul 2019