Building a new, open-access database of Alexander Technique research.
A newsletter to help you stay connected to Alexander Technique related research.
The ASO Newsletter - 11th Edition
Thank you for being here and for your interest in research on the Alexander Technique and its teaching.
In this 11th edition of the Alexander Studies Online (ASO) newsletter we take a look at the developing ASO Research Collections project and the newly released Alexander Technique online Zotero library; a growing list of peer reviewed research on the Alexander Technique, PhD and Masters theses, and more.
Erica Donnison BSc, MSc, MSTAT, and Mark Vasak B.Mus, M.OT, CANSTAT, discuss how this new database can increase ease of access to up-to-date research on the Alexander Technique. We also go through a short tutorial to help you learn how to get the most out of the new online library at home.
Building a new, open-access database of Alexander Technique research.
This conversation explores an overview of the Alexander Technique Zotero open-access library, how it can help communicate Alexander Technique research, and it’s current limitations. During a follow along section you will learn how to use the library at home.
About: Erica Donnison BSc, MSc, MSTAT, set up the STAT Research Group (SRG) during her time on the STAT Council and served as the group's Chair for several years. During this time, the idea for what is now Alexander Studies Online (ASO) was born. Erica graduated from the Cumbria Alexander Training School at Fellside in 2004, and has been teaching individuals and groups in Kendal and elsewhere since then. Her previous career as an Ecologist inspires her teaching with a love of natural movement and a fascination with how everything is inter-connected.
About: Mark Vasak B.Mus, M.OT, CANSTAT, has a Master of Occupational Therapy from the University of British Columbia Faculty of Medicine, and holds a Bachelor of Music. He qualified from the Vancouver school of the Alexander Technique in 2012 and teaches AT on faculty in The Capilano University Theatre department and in a busy private practice in British Columbia, Canada. He was executive co-director of Alexander Technique Canada (ATC), the Canadian ATAS representative from 2015-2018, and is a member of the STAT Research Group.
Volunteer Position Details
Alexander Studies Online is looking for a volunteer to help build and edit the ASO Zotero library. This role is best for a detail oriented self-starter who has some basic knowledge of research and who loves to edit and organize, and who truly cares about sharing Alexander Technique related research.
You would be responsible for adding and editing research citations in the library. If motivated, you could also help us discover missing research to expand this growing, open-access list. Throughout the process you will be supported by ASO and the STAT research group and trained how to do your role. The amount of time you’d dedicate to this project is flexible and simply depends on how much you would want to contribute. Your contributions will help communicate Alexander Technique research around the world to over 30 countries and thousands of viewers.
More about Zotero
Zotero is a free, easy-to-use tool to help you collect, organize, cite, and share research. Although you don’t need to download your own version to use the ASO library, if you’re interested, you can download your own version for free here. Thank-you to the creative and generous people at Zotero for making and sharing this tool.
Member Contributions and Thanks
As always, we welcome your comments, suggestions and questions. Please use the Comment box below or email us at alexander.studies.online@gmail.com with any information, feedback, or questions. We will do our best to respond to you as soon as possible.
A special thanks Lesley Glover for her initial literature review upon which the Zotero database has its foundation, and to Monika Gross and Terry Fitzgerald for their additional research lists which (currently in-process) will help enrich the database for members, researchers, and the public. Thank-you!
To sign-up for the ASO Newsletter click here and add your email at the bottom of the page to become a member. To further support our efforts please share this with your friends, colleagues, and students who may benefit.
To keep the conversation going: reach out to us online, or email Erica and the ASO team at alexander.studies.online@gmail.com