Abstract
This collaborative paper explores issues in response to current concerns regarding dance training within the U.K’s higher education sector pertaining to graduate employability and professional development. Current research into this area suggests that dance graduates whilst retaining a specialism in their art form, often lack a broader range of leadership and facilitation skills necessary to support and develop careers as freelance practitioners working within a range of dance contexts. The conference paper presents the findings of a collaborative pilot project between the University of Leeds’ B.A Dance programme and Dance United, a U.K. based organisation specialising in the field of dance and social inclusion.Drawing upon exemplar from the Dance United/University of Leeds pilot project the paper explores how collaborative research involving higher education and the dance industry can develop mutually beneficial relationships.