Dr Zhi Xu

Personal statement

Zhi Xu is a choreographer, dancer, researcher and Senior Lecturer in Dance at Bath Spa University, where he leads the Centre for Performance Research. He teaches on the BA Dance and MA Dance programmes and also supervises PhD students. He completed his PhD at Brunel University London in 2021, focusing on dance technology and cultural identity.

As a choreographer and dancer, Zhi has created over 20 works presented internationally in China, the United Kingdom, the United States, Canada, Belgium, Malaysia, and beyond. His works span digital performance, dance theatre, site-specific projects, exhibitions and large-scale productions, including Being River (2024), Unexpected Bodies (2020), Mourning for a dead moon (2019) and X-Body (2018). In 2014, he was an independent director for one of China’s most prestigious events, the Summer Youth Olympic Games Opening Ceremony. His creation X-Body was later selected for performance at The Place, London during Resolution 2019.

Before joining Bath Spa University in 2022, Zhi taught at the University of Roehampton as a Guest Lecturer and at the Royal Central School of Speech and Drama as a Visiting Lecturer.

His research and practice investigate the intersections of dance, technology and intercultural identity. He is the author of the monograph Dancing Chineseness and Techno-Choreography (Routledge, 2026), which explores the relationship between new technologies, cultural identity and contemporary choreographic practice.

He has received British Academy ECRN Seed Funding (2024), the Vice-Chancellor’s Prize for Doctoral Research at Brunel University London (2021), the Prize for Most Promising Researcher at the University of Roehampton (2017), and recognition as Excellent Director by the Summer Youth Olympic Games Committee (2014).

Academic qualifications

• PhD Dance and Technology, Brunel University of London
• MA Dance Philosophy and History, University of Roehampton
• BA Choreography, Beijing Dance Academy.

Professional qualifications

• Postgraduate Certificate in Higher Education (PGCHE)
• Fellow of the Higher Education Academy (FHEA)
• Personal Development for External Examiners, Advance HE.

Professional memberships

• Theatre and Performance Research Association (TaPRA)
• Dance Studies Association (DSA)
• Centre for Cultural and Creative Industries (CCCI)
• Creative Practice and Embodied Knowledge (CPEK)
• Design and Performance Lab (DAP-Lab).

Other external roles

• External Examiner for MA Dance: Performance, London Contemporary Dance School, UAL (2024-present)
• External Examiner for MA/MFA Movement: Directing and Teaching, Royal Central School of Speech and Drama, University of London (2024-present)
• Link Tutor for BA (Hons) Professional Dance, The Brighton Academy (2022-present)
• Editorial Board Member, Body, Space & Technology (2021-present).

Teaching specialism

• Choreography
• Contemporary Dance Technique
• Dance and Cultural Identity
• Dance and Technology
• Dance and Virtual Reality
• Dance and Motion Capture.