Grooving Through Greater Understanding: Manisha Biswas's Dance Challenge Victory
Scientist Wins Dance Competition in Berlin - Scientist Snags Dance Competition Victory in Berlin
Embrace the rhythm as cognitive psychologist Manisha Biswas twists and turns her way across Berlin, from Gleisdreieck Park to the U2, all the way to a make-believe urban dance club. But don't be fooled, she's no professional dancer—her background is in the realm of cognition. This thrilling video performance, set to pulsating beats, captured her the top spot in Science's international “Dance Your PhD” competition under the social sciences category. The prize? $750, hers to keep.
In her toe-tapping journey, she talks science: how synced movements with others fuel identity creation and manipulate self-perception. A researcher at the Graduate School of Mind and Brain at Humboldt University (Berlin), she takes a fresh, relatable approach to explaining academic concepts, aiming to democratize science for everyone.
She put her friends to good use during shoot day, drawn together to cut through the noise of misinformation in today's world of fake news. Her team included pals from various corners who willingly offered their talents—her friend served as DJ, another helmed the camera, and even three professional dancers were persuaded to join her groove declaration.
Although she's wrapped up her over 200-page thesis, she's aiming for fresh beats in her next research project: a field study in a club. Our night owls will delight in the prospect of discovering whether the heartbeats of DJs and clubbers synchronize, but first, she needs to defend her thesis.
- Identities Shaped by Harmony
- Berlin
- Rhythmic Belonging
- Humboldt University
- Beats: A Catalyst for Connection
- In her interview during the shoot, Manisha discussed the concept of 'Community policy' as it applies to the formation of identities, suggesting that synchronized dance movements can foster a sense of belonging and identity creation among participants.
- As part of her next research project at Humboldt University, Manisha is planning to delve deeper into the 'Science' and 'health-and-wellness' aspects of club culture, examining the health effects and fitness benefits people experience when participating in 'fitness-and-exercise' activities like dancing in a club environment.
