Udi Sommer

Description:

Alexandra’s research investigates conflict resolution capabilities within the field of dance, focusing especially on the effect of dance encounter work in conflict settings.

Research focus: Specifically, her thesis aims to determine if dance can be employed in an encounter program format to transform perception of “the other”, in the context of Jewish-Arab relations within Israel.

Using an experimental research design, the study draws quantitative data from a series of questionnaires administered to an experimental and control group, either participating or not-participating, in an organized dance encounter workshop. The workshop partners Jewish students from the Menashe region and Arab students from Qalansuwa, in a two-week dance encounter. In total, the data will be drawn from a pool of approximately 240 students, one-week pre-encounter, one-week post-encounter, and three months post encounter.