Embodied Knowledge: Rethinking Learning, Curiosity, and Creativity

The latest episode of the Reach Out podcast, from the Transform4Europe alliance, recorded by the Faculty of Human Sciences at the Universidade Católica Portuguesa, invites listeners to learn about the work of Aishwarya Kumar, artist, curator and PhD in Cultural Studies at Católica, whose work leads us to reconsider how knowledge emerges from the body, movement and lived experience.

In a conversation with Manuel Coutinho, professor and researcher at CECC, Centre for Communication and Culture Studies, the guest draws on her career, from classical Bharatanatyam (classical dance originating in India) to contemporary performance and academic research, considering that this was the starting point for her to begin questioning established ideas of beauty, perfection and learning, exploring how bodily practices can open up new perspectives for thinking about knowledge.

According to Aishwarya, her interest in the imperfections of movement arose precisely when she began to move away from the rigid rules of classical dance. ‘I am particularly interested in the way people move in ways that are not considered normative or obviously beautiful,’ she explains.

This episode also covers different geographical and cultural contexts, between Europe and South Asia, addressing topics such as the decolonisation of knowledge, diaspora and the politics of curiosity in contemporary education.

Reflecting on the future of higher education, Aishwarya reinforces her desire for an academic context that values the articulation between theoretical and practical knowledge, while promoting critical thinking and greater engagement with society – fundamental values for the T4EU alliance.

Listen to the full episode: