Beckett Talks

In this episode of Dancing Class, dance artist Ella Tighe reflects on her journey from the disco freestyle competitions of working men's clubs in Bradford to contemporary dance training, international study, and creating her acclaimed solo work Disco Queen. Ella explores the deep roots of disco freestyle in working-class communities, and the confidence, discipline, and cultural value it instilled...

Join Tanya Arnold for a special episode of Carnegie Conversations, recorded in front of a live audience at the Carnegie Sport Nutrition Symposium in collaboration with British Dietetic Association Sport Nutrition Group. Tanya speaks to Sir Kevin Sinfield CBE, performance nutritionist James Moran and Professor Ben Jones about the 7 in 7 challenges and the team behind them. Kevin shares how a promis...

In this episode of Dancing Class, Dr Karen Wood reflects on her journey from a working-class upbringing in Birmingham to becoming a dance academic, researcher, and advocate for freelance dance artists. Raised by a typist and a lift engineer, Karen traces her lifelong relationship with dance, from childhood tap, disco competitions, and homemade costumes to working at Sainsbury’s by day and raving b...

In this episode of The Dancing Class Podcast , dance artist and former performer Junior Cunningham reflects on his journey from a working-class upbringing in Birmingham to a long and successful career in dance. He discusses how dance became a turning point in his life after a difficult experience of school, the influence of mentors and family support, and his training at Northern School of Contemp...

In the first of two episodes with Helen Linsell , Artistic Director of Dance United Yorkshire, she discusses her work using dance as a catalyst for change with people facing social exclusion, including those in prison, recovery from addiction, and other challenging circumstances. She reflects on her upbringing in south-east London, the influence of her mother in nurturing her interest in the arts,...

In the second episode of Bridges Not Barriers , Helen Linsell reflects on the early stages of her career after graduating from Laban and the experiences that led her to Dance United Yorkshire. Helen shares how her work with young people from working-class communities and challenging backgrounds revealed the transformative potential of dance when delivered with high expectations, strong boundaries...

In this episode, Aletta Collins OBE reflects on her journey from a self-described working-class upbringing to becoming one of the UK's most celebrated choreographers and directors. From discovering contemporary dance by chance in a summer school class to working across dance, opera, theatre and film, Aletta discusses class, creativity, opportunity, and the resilience needed to sustain a life in th...

Join Tanya Arnold for a very special episode celebrating the remarkable people inducted into the Leeds Beckett University Sport Hall of Fame. More than 20 alumni were inducted in June 2026, recognising their outstanding achievements and lasting impact on sport and society. Tanya speaks to Sir Kevin Sinfield CBE, Natalie Metcalf, Jamie Peacock MBE, Stuart Lancaster, Alexandra Bell and Ali Jawad abo...

In this episode of the Dancing Class Podcast, dance artist, choreographer and cabaret performer Josh Haigh discuses growing up in Rochdale, discovering dance through GCSE Dance, and navigating a creative career as a working-class queer artist. From finding safety and belonging in dance education after coming out as gay, to developing a distinctive artistic practice rooted in class, identity and pe...

In this episode of the Dancing Class podcast, choreographer and performer Keira Martin reflects on how her working-class upbringing in Barnsley, Irish heritage, and immersion in traditional dance have shaped her identity and career. Keira reflects on the power of dance as a space for belonging, self-expression, and social mobility, while sharing her experiences of navigating the arts as a working-...

Tanya Richam Odoi reflects on her journey from a working-class childhood in Dundee to a successful career as a dancer, teacher, and craniosacral therapist. She describes how a chance encounter with community dance at Dundee Rep transformed her life, providing a sense of belonging, purpose, and opportunity during a challenging family period. The conversation explores dance as a vehicle for confiden...

In this episode, Karen reflects on her career in dance, leadership, and cultural advocacy. She shares stories of family pride, professional recognition, and receiving a Lifetime Achievement Award, while considering the impact of her work across the Liverpool cultural sector. The conversation explores issues of inequality, community, and the idea of "levelling up," with Karen arguing for approaches...

In this Dancing Class episode, Laura and Rachel host Farooq Chaudhry , who reflects on his journey from childhood in Pakistan to a career in UK dance, earning him an OBE. Farooq explains how he navigated poverty, racism, and the transformative power of education and art. He recalls being inspired by Namron and later supporting a young Akram Khan, taking bold risks to help launch his early works. H...

Inspired by David Bowie and raised in Walthamstow by Irish parents, Brendan Keaney’s journey into dance was anything but predictable. Keaney’s career took off in Wales with Jumpers (later NDCW) then led him to Ludus Dance, where he began developing educational strategies he describes as offering the kind of 'thinking time' many people associate with university. He describes how strong mentorship t...

In this episode of Dancing Class , Laura and Rachel invite artist and researcher Kate Marsh to discuss her journey from growing up in Peterborough to becoming a dance professional and academic. Kate reflects on childhood encounters with movement, the impact of supportive teachers, and how class, disability, and identity continue to inform her relationship with dance. Kate discusses key mentors in...

In this episode of Dancing Class, pioneering hip hop artist Jonzi D shares how growing up in a creative family and discovering hip hop shaped his identity and ambitions. From early school performances to training at The Place, he reflects on navigating class and cultural barriers within the world of contemporary dance to carve his own path. Jonzi recounts the creation of groundbreaking works like...

In this Dancing Class podcast episode, Martin Hargreaves reflects on his journey from a working-class upbringing in Wallasey near Liverpool to becoming Head of the Rose Choreographic School at Sadler’s Wells. Raised in a family with little direct connection to the arts, his early exposure to dance came indirectly through his sister’s ballet classes and films like West Side Story . He discusses how...

In this episode of Dancing Class, dance artist Sarah Blanc vibrantly explores her journey from a council estate in Waterford, Ireland, to becoming a freelance choreographer and performer in the UK. Sarah shares candid reflections of navigating the challenges of class and access alongside themes of ambition, identity, imposter syndrome, and the freelance hustle. The discussion is wrapped in Sarah’s...

In this episode of Dancing Class, choreographer Gary Clarke shares his journey from growing up in the mining village of Grimethorpe to founding his own dance company. Gary reflects on childhood memories of the miners’ strike, discovering movement through rave culture and baton twirling, and the teachers who helped him along the way. He shares stories of training at Northern School of Contemporary...

In this episode of Carnegie Conversations, Tanya Arnold looks at why women remain under-represented in coaching and why the answer isn’t simply “more programmes.” With Leanne Norman (Director of the Women in Sport Research and Innovation Hub), Annette Stride (Director of Centre for Social Justice in Sport and Society), and Vicky Huyton (Female Coaching Network), the discussion unpacks the stubborn...

In this episode of Carnegie Conversations, Tanya Arnold explores the world of elite boxing performance and how strength and conditioning, sports science, and biomechanics are shaping modern fight preparation. Joined by two-time world featherweight champion Josh Warrington, strength and conditioning coach Andrew Langford, and senior lecturer in sport and exercise biomechanics, Dr Alex Dinsdale (Lee...

In this episode, Tanya Arnold dives into the groundbreaking technology of instrumented mouthguards. These cutting-edge devices measure head acceleration to help detect and prevent head injuries in rugby. Professor Ben Jones (Leeds Beckett University), Ross Tucker (World Rugby), and Karl Hogan (Prevent Biometrics), reveal how reveal how this technology works, the science that proves it, and what it...

Join Tanya Arnold as she brings you a very special episode, we celebrate the remarkable people who’ve passed through the doors of the Leeds Beckett University. Nearly 40 alumni have been inducted into our first Sport Hall of Fame, including Alistair Brownlee, Laura Weightman, Emily Campbell and Paul Heckingbottom, to name just a few. Tanya had a chance to chat to a few of our inductees at the laun...

Hannah Cockroft is a nine-time Paralympic champion. Nearly twenty years into her career, she’s still finding ways to get faster. In this conversation, she talks about how biomechanical analysis has helped her make small but meaningful changes. The kind of changes that give her those marginal gains… that keep her at the top of her sport. In this episodeTanya Arnol...

How is Leeds City Council driving the play agenda? Ali Long, course leader of playwork and childhood development at Leeds Beckett University, talks to Leeds City Council’s playwork strategy officer, Jen Rutherford about the impact of Child Friendly Leeds, the opportunity for the sector presented by the Play Festival, the power of play streets and, of course, our wonderful students.