Grooving Through Berlin: Scientist Wins Dance Competition with a Beat
Dancer Berliner triumphs in scientific competition - Scientist Berliner triumphs in dance contest for researchers
In a captivating 9-minute video, cognitive psychologist (and non-dancer) Manisha Biswas takes viewers on a dance adventure through Berlin, leaping through Gleisdreieck Park, strutting on the U2, and swaying in a fictional Berlin club. Over a techno beat, Biswas showcases her research findings on the powerful impact of synchronized movements on identity formation and personal perception. And all of this earned her the grand prize of $750 in the "Dance-Your-PhD" competition hosted by Science magazine's social sciences category.
Hailing from the Berlin School of Mind and Brain at the Humboldt University, Biswas managed to explain her complicated doctoral thesis to her pals as, "Something that leaves you scratching your head," with a laugh. Yet, her motivation to join the competition stemmed from a desire to share and simplify the wonders of science for everyone.
Her unique music video was brought to life with the help of friends. With the concern of misinformation in today's world of fake news, Biswas emphasized the importance of scientists stepping out of their labs to communicate their groundbreaking research discoveries to the public. But make no mistake, the fun factor was not lost during filming! Everyone involved was either a buddy or a friend of a buddy who offered their time and talents freely. From friendly DJs creating the music, to Biswas's pal Liselotte van Balen directing the scenes, the club scene even taking place in the basement of an acquaintance, every element came together seamlessly.
Even though she's not a professional dancer, Biswas managed to persuade three talented dancers to join her journey. "I had to learn the dance moves from scratch, thanks to the graciousness of my dance partners," she said.
Her doctoral thesis, a whopping 200+ pages, has already been submitted, with a club setting next up on her research agenda. Her future project aims to investigate if the heart rhythms of DJs and club-goers synchronize, providing new insights into interpersonal connections. But before delving into her next adventure, she'll first defend her doctoral thesis.
- Berlin: The city steeped in history and culture, serving as the backdrop for Biswas's enchanting performance.
- U2: The city's iconic subway train, providing a unique, urban twist to the dance piece.
- Humboldt University: Biswas's academic home, nurturing her passion for cognitive psychology.
- Beats: The rhythmic music cradling the narrative, bringing her research to life in an engaging, colorful blur of movement.
- The "Dance-Your-PhD" competition hosted by Science magazine's social sciences category was won by Manisha Biswas, a cognitive psychologist from the Berlin School of Mind and Brain at Humboldt University, whose unique music video was created with the help of friends.
- The city of Berlin, steeped in history and culture, served as the backdrop for Biswas's enchanting performance, featuring shots in Gleisdreieck Park, on the U2 train, and in a fictional Berlin club.
- Biswas's motivation to join the competition came from her desire to share and simplify the wonders of science for everyone, emphasizing the importance of scientists stepping out of their labs to communicate their groundbreaking research discoveries to the public.
- For her next research project, Biswas aims to investigate if the heart rhythms of DJs and club-goers synchronize, providing new insights into interpersonal connections, possibly delving into the realm of fitness-and-exercise, health-and-wellness, and education-and-self-development.
