Journal of Dance and Embodied Structure welcomes original scholarly submissions related to dance studies, embodied knowledge, movement structures, choreography, performance, somatic practices, body-space relations, and the cultural, theoretical, historical, technological, and methodological dimensions of the moving body.

Authors are expected to submit manuscripts that are original, academically rigorous, clearly written, ethically conducted, and relevant to the journal’s aims and scope. Manuscripts should make a clear contribution to dance studies, embodied research, performance studies, or related interdisciplinary fields.

1. General Requirements

Submitted manuscripts must be original works that have not been published previously and are not under consideration by another journal, edited volume, conference proceeding, or publication venue at the time of submission.

All manuscripts should be written in clear academic English. Authors are responsible for ensuring the quality of language, structure, citation, and formatting before submission. Manuscripts that do not meet basic academic or linguistic standards may be returned before peer review.

Submissions should demonstrate:

• A clear research question, argument, or scholarly purpose;
• Relevance to dance, embodiment, movement, choreography, performance, or related fields;
• Engagement with appropriate academic literature;
• Transparent methodology or analytical framework;
• Original contribution to the field;
• Ethical treatment of research participants, communities, cultural practices, and artistic materials where applicable.

2. Article Types

The journal considers the following types of manuscripts:

• Original Research Articles: Full-length scholarly articles presenting original research, theoretical analysis, historical study, empirical investigation, or critical interpretation.
• Review Articles: Articles that critically review and synthesize existing scholarship in dance studies, embodied research, movement analysis, choreography, performance studies, or related areas.
• Practice-Based Research Articles: Articles in which artistic practice, choreographic process, performance-making, somatic exploration, or embodied inquiry serves as a central research method or object of analysis.
• Methodological Notes: Shorter articles focusing on research methods, analytical tools, documentation techniques, movement notation, digital methods, or practice-led research design.
• Performance and Choreographic Analyses: Critical analyses of performances, choreographic works, dance events, artistic processes, festivals, or movement practices.
• Book Reviews: Reviews of recent academic books relevant to dance, embodiment, choreography, performance, aesthetics, cultural studies, or related fields.
• Performance Reviews: Critical reviews of dance performances, choreographic works, festivals, exhibitions, or performance events.
• Interviews: Scholarly interviews with dancers, choreographers, scholars, artists, educators, archivists, curators, or practitioners.
• Editorials: Short essays or editorial statements commissioned or approved by the editorial team.

3. Manuscript Length

Recommended manuscript lengths are as follows:

• Original Research Articles: 6,000–9,000 words
• Review Articles: 6,000–10,000 words
• Practice-Based Research Articles: 5,000–9,000 words
• Methodological Notes: 3,000–5,000 words
• Performance and Choreographic Analyses: 3,000–6,000 words
• Book Reviews: 1,000–2,000 words
• Performance Reviews: 1,000–2,500 words
• Interviews: 2,000–5,000 words
• Editorials: 1,000–3,000 words

The word count includes the main text and footnotes but excludes references, abstract, keywords, figure captions, tables, and appendices. Longer manuscripts may be considered when justified by the nature of the research.

4. Manuscript Structure

Research articles should normally include the following elements:

• Title
• Abstract
• Keywords
• Introduction
• Literature Review or Theoretical Framework
• Methodology or Analytical Approach
• Analysis or Discussion
• Conclusion
• Acknowledgments, where applicable
• Funding Statement
• Conflict of Interest Statement
• Ethics Statement, where applicable
• Data Availability Statement, where applicable
• References

Practice-based submissions may adopt a structure appropriate to the research design, provided that the manuscript clearly explains the research context, practice process, methodology, critical reflection, and scholarly contribution.

5. Title, Abstract, and Keywords

The title should be concise, informative, and reflective of the manuscript’s main focus. Authors should avoid overly broad or vague titles.

Each manuscript should include an abstract of approximately 150–250 words. The abstract should summarize the research purpose, theoretical or methodological approach, main findings or arguments, and contribution to the field.

Authors should provide 4–6 keywords. Keywords should clearly indicate the manuscript’s topic, field, method, and key concepts. Examples may include: dance studies, embodied knowledge, choreography, movement analysis, somatic practice, performance studies, body-space relations, gesture, rhythm, practice-based research, digital dance, motion capture, embodied cognition, dance education, or intercultural performance.

6. Formatting Requirements

Manuscripts should be submitted in Microsoft Word format. Authors should use a clear and readable font, such as Times New Roman, 12-point size, with double spacing throughout the main text.

Authors should use consistent heading levels and avoid excessive formatting. Tables, figures, images, notation examples, diagrams, or other visual materials should be clearly numbered and titled.

Figures and images should be submitted in sufficient resolution for online publication. Authors are responsible for obtaining permission to reproduce copyrighted images, performance photographs, diagrams, scores, archival materials, or other third-party content.

7. Citation and Reference Style

The journal uses the Chicago Manual of Style, 17th edition. Authors may use either the notes and bibliography system or the author-date system, provided that the chosen style is applied consistently throughout the manuscript.

All sources cited in the text must appear in the reference list or bibliography. Authors should ensure that all references are accurate, complete, and formatted consistently.

Where available, DOI links should be included in the reference list.

8. Figures, Images, and Multimedia Materials

Dance and performance research may require the use of photographs, diagrams, notation, video stills, archival materials, movement maps, or other visual materials. Authors should ensure that all such materials are directly relevant to the scholarly argument and are properly captioned and credited.

Authors must obtain written permission for any copyrighted materials that are not their own. This includes performance photographs, rehearsal images, choreographic documentation, stage designs, screenshots, archival documents, and images of artworks.

When a manuscript refers to video, audio, or digital materials, authors should provide stable links where appropriate. Authors should ensure that external materials are ethically and legally available for scholarly use.

9. Research Ethics

Research involving human participants, interviews, fieldwork, community practices, performance documentation, classroom observation, or bodily participation should comply with relevant ethical standards.

Authors should obtain informed consent where required and should protect the privacy, dignity, safety, and rights of participants. Particular care should be taken when working with vulnerable groups, Indigenous or local communities, culturally sensitive practices, ritual performance, minors, or unpublished artistic materials.

Where institutional ethics approval was required, authors should include a statement indicating the name of the approving body and the approval number, where applicable.

Where formal ethics approval was not required, authors should provide a brief statement explaining why it was not required.

10. Practice-Based and Practice-Led Research

The journal welcomes practice-based and practice-led research. Such submissions should not merely describe an artistic process or performance event. They should present a clear research question, critical framework, methodological reflection, and scholarly contribution.

Authors submitting practice-based work should explain:

• The relationship between artistic practice and research inquiry;
• The role of choreography, movement, performance, or embodied practice in the research process;
• The methods used to document, analyze, or reflect upon the practice;
• The theoretical, methodological, artistic, or cultural contribution of the work.

11. Authorship

All listed authors must have made a substantial contribution to the conception, design, research, analysis, writing, or revision of the manuscript. All authors must approve the final version of the manuscript before submission.

Authors should not include individuals who did not contribute substantially to the work. Changes to authorship after submission must be explained and approved by all authors and the editorial office.

12. Author Contribution Statement

For multi-author manuscripts, authors are encouraged to include an author contribution statement describing each author’s role in the research and writing process.

Examples of author contributions may include conceptualization, methodology, investigation, formal analysis, writing, review and editing, project administration, funding acquisition, performance documentation, choreographic practice, or visual material preparation.

13. Funding Statement

Authors must disclose all sources of funding that supported the research, writing, artistic practice, fieldwork, documentation, or publication of the manuscript.

Where no funding was received, authors should state:

Funding: The author(s) received no financial support for the research, authorship, or publication of this article.

14. Conflict of Interest Statement

Authors must disclose any financial, personal, professional, institutional, or artistic relationships that could be perceived as influencing the research, interpretation, review, or publication of the manuscript.

Where no conflict of interest exists, authors should state:

Conflict of Interest: The author(s) declare no conflict of interest.

15. Data Availability Statement

Where applicable, authors should include a data availability statement explaining whether and how data, documentation, interview materials, field notes, coding materials, movement records, or other research materials can be accessed.

Authors should not share confidential, sensitive, copyrighted, culturally restricted, or personally identifiable materials unless appropriate consent and permissions have been obtained.

16. Use of Artificial Intelligence Tools

Authors must disclose the use of artificial intelligence tools where such tools have been used in the preparation, editing, translation, data processing, image generation, coding, or analysis of the manuscript.

Artificial intelligence tools cannot be listed as authors. Authors remain fully responsible for the accuracy, originality, integrity, citation, and ethical compliance of all submitted content.

Authors should not use artificial intelligence tools to generate fabricated references, unsupported claims, manipulated images, false data, or misleading research content.

17. Plagiarism and Originality

All submissions must be original. The journal may use plagiarism detection tools or other editorial checks to identify overlap, duplication, or inappropriate reuse of published or unpublished materials.

Plagiarism, self-plagiarism, duplicate publication, fabricated data, manipulated images, false authorship, citation manipulation, or unethical research practices may result in rejection, correction, retraction, or notification to relevant institutions.

18. Peer Review

All research articles, review articles, practice-based research articles, methodological notes, and performance or choreographic analyses are subject to editorial screening and peer review.

Submissions are first assessed by the editorial office and editors for relevance, originality, completeness, ethical compliance, and suitability for the journal. Manuscripts that pass initial screening are sent for peer review.

The journal normally uses a double-blind peer review process. Authors should prepare manuscripts in a way that does not reveal their identity in the main document, where possible.

19. Submission Preparation

Before submitting a manuscript, authors should ensure that:

• The manuscript fits the journal’s aims and scope;
• The manuscript has not been published or submitted elsewhere;
• The manuscript is written in clear academic English;
• The abstract and keywords are included;
• References are complete and consistently formatted;
• Figures, tables, images, and captions are complete;
• Permissions have been obtained for copyrighted materials;
• Ethics approval or consent information is included where applicable;
• Funding, conflict of interest, data availability, and AI use statements are included where applicable;
• The manuscript file has been prepared for blind review where required.

20. Submission Process

Manuscripts should be submitted through the journal’s online submission system. Authors should follow all steps in the submission platform and provide the required metadata, including title, abstract, keywords, author information, affiliation, and references.

Authors should ensure that all information entered into the submission system is accurate and consistent with the manuscript file.

21. Revisions

When revisions are requested, authors should submit a revised manuscript together with a response letter explaining how reviewer and editor comments have been addressed.

The response letter should clearly indicate changes made in the revised manuscript. Authors who choose not to follow a specific recommendation should provide a clear academic justification.

22. Copyediting and Proofreading

Accepted manuscripts may undergo copyediting and production preparation before publication. Authors may be asked to review proofs before final publication.

Authors are responsible for checking the accuracy of names, affiliations, references, figures, tables, captions, and final text during the proof stage. Major content changes are not normally permitted at proof stage unless approved by the editorial office.

23. Article Processing Charge

Information about article processing charges, waivers, and payment procedures is provided on the journal’s APC & Waiver Policy page. Authors should consult that page before submission.

The ability to pay an article processing charge does not influence editorial decisions. Manuscripts are evaluated based on academic merit, relevance, originality, ethical compliance, and contribution to the field.

24. Copyright and Licensing

Information about copyright, licensing, author rights, reuse, and distribution is provided on the journal’s Copyright and Licensing page.

Authors are responsible for ensuring that their submission does not infringe the rights of any third party.

25. Contact

For questions about manuscript preparation, submission requirements, article types, or editorial procedures, authors may contact the Editorial Office through the journal’s official contact page.