Who Are You?
My name is Deirdre Jonese Austin, and I am a PhD candidate in the Department of Cultural Anthropology at Duke University. I’ve been involved in dance ministries for most of my life, over 20 years, and I’ve been taking pole classes since July of 2023. In my experience, I’ve come to understand both the liturgical, or praise and worship, space and the pole space as places of healing, empowerment, and freedom for Black women, although in different ways. As such, my doctoral project is interested in bringing to the forefront the stories of Black women in these spaces: Why do we dance? How does dance impact how we understand our bodies? How does dance shape community or sisterhood? What role does dance play in our health and wellness? How does it relate to spirituality? I want to know the story of your dance journey, and I hope to reach a broader audience by pairing these spaces together!
What does Your research look like, and what does it have to do with Me?
As an anthropologist, my research is ethnographic. I’m taking pole classes and attending dance ministry rehearsals. I’ll be at the conferences, showcases, conventions, and competitions. If you’re reading this, you’ve probably seen me around or you came recommended from someone else I’ve encountered. While I can gather information by just being at the church or the pole studio, that information is limited in what it can tell. Most important to my research are the stories of the Black women who I hope will be in conversation with me. I hope that you’ll be willing to share your story with me! This will take place in the form of informal and formal conversations over the course of my research, which will continue through August of 2026. You can share as much or as little as you’d like. You can skip over questions that you don’t feel like answering. All participation is voluntary.
What Will You Do With This Information?
This information will be included in my written dissertation, which I intend to publish as a book project, as well as any other written or oral presentations related to the project. This will include conference presentations, academic articles, news articles, etc. I will share with you any quotes that I intend to feature in my project during my writing stage as I hope that this project will be collaborative. To protect your identity to the best of my abilities, you are welcome to select a pseudonym, or fake name, for yourself. If you choose to use your real name, only first names will be included. As the church has opted for anonymity, I will use a pseudonym for both the name of the church and the location of the church. I’ll also use pseudonyms for all participants. If you’d like, you will also be able to submit photos and videos. If you choose to do so, especially in addition to the use of your first name, there is a strong likelihood that people will be able to identify you and that is out of my control.
Additionally, I am hoping to develop a dance film with documentary aesthetics to further give voice to the stories of Black women dancers in the church and in the pole studio. It’ll be very helpful in helping people to visualize that which is shared but also in giving image to that which cannot fully be explained in words. Information for the film will be obtained at a later date. If there is anything that you’ve shared prior that I’d like to include in the documentary, I will let you know as I’m developing that portion of the project.
Why Should I Tell You My Story?
First, this is an opportunity to contribute to the little academic literature on both recreational pole dancing and liturgical dancing. It can get people talking and bring additional attention to both liturgical and pole dancing. My project has resonated well so far with people interested in learning more. Together, we can document the significance of these spaces and what makes them special.
However, I’m not doing this project to contribute to literature and just get people talking. I want to get people dancing! My hope is that your story can speak to another Black woman who may come from a similar background or be in a similar situation to you. I hope that it can encourage and inspire another Black woman to try it or find a space that functions similarly for them. As a scholar and minister, I am committed to projects that can heal and liberate us, help us tap into #BlackGirlJoy and have fun, and live our lives authentically in a way that embraces our full selves. I see this project as one contribution to that continued work.
How Do I Get Involved?
Feel free to reach out to me using the contact information on the business card I’ve given you. Text and email work best for me. You can also reach out to me via social media. I’ll follow up to schedule a time where we can meet to chat over coffee/tea, food, or pastries, on me! If you have any questions throughout the duration of this project please feel free to contact me, my faculty advisor, or Duke University’s Institutional Review Board (IRB).
Deirdre Jonese Austin 