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DCU Arts and Culture
Dancer Alessandra Azeviche in a performance at DCU

DCU Dancer in Residence Curates New Performances at Climate Conference

This week saw the DCU Institute for Climate and Society host its sixth annual conference on St. Patrick’s campus, bringing together voices from across research, policy, and the arts to explore urgent environmental challenges.

Titled “Holding the Line: Climate Action in a Time of Crisis,” the one-day event was organised by Institute Director, Dr. Diarmuid Torney alongside Mia DiChiaro, DCU Dancer in Residence. The programme reflected a strong interdisciplinary focus, combining academic and creative research. 

Among the programme highlights was a Presidential Address delivered by Uachtarán na hÉireann, Catherine Connolly, who emphasised the continued importance of climate action during times of global uncertainty. Attendees also heard from Sean Ronayne, the acclaimed ornithologist, wildlife sound recordist, and award-winning author, whose work offered a compelling perspective on biodiversity and environmental preservation.

The conference concluded with two specially curated performances by DiChiaro, showcasing the work of dance artists Alessandra Azeviche, founder of Quilombo Terra, and Ailish Claffey, co-founder of SAY Collective, in collaboration with Patrycja Kwiecień. Through movement, the performances explored themes of connection, dysphoria, and belonging - ideas that resonated strongly within the broader climate conversation, forming a compelling conclusion to the day.  Together, the conference and its creative programme highlighted the value of collaboration across disciplines.

DiChiaro’s 18-month residency funded by the Arts Council will continue to expand on this work, developing innovative choreographic projects and working with local communities informed by the Institute’s interdisciplinary research. 

 

Mia DiChiaro is a contemporary dancer, community facilitator, and ecologically engaged artivist. Her work encourages communities across Ireland to explore imagination, empathy, and care, while examining the intersection of the moving body and climate activism. Mia has received support from the Arts Council, Dance Ireland, IMMA, and Create. She holds a B.A. in Performance and Arts Activism from New York University and an M.A. in Contemporary Dance Performance from the University of Limerick. Her recent community-led works include Dance Till Dán (2022), recipient of the Creative Lives Award UK/IRE for “Best Irish Project,” and Let’s Spraoi! (2024).