Kat was a researcher-artist who, in their words, ‘tried their best to navigate the slippiest of experiences, being a human’. Their interdisciplinary work sought to uncover multiplicities and their application in the world, through film, language, movement and kinaesthetic experience. Their work was influenced and shaped by the teachings of Disability Justice thinkers, and trauma-informed modalities and methodologies. They were a PhD researcher at the Centre of Dance Research (C-DaRE), Coventry University, partnered with Candoco Dance Company, uncovering how the role of an understudy can introduce care into contemporary dance settings for disabled artists.
ID’s relationship with Kat began in earnest in 2023 when they performed ‘Left Hanging in the Orchard’ at our Fete de la Fete in 2023. And more recently we were engaged in a project with Kat called – Disrupting Leadership: anti-ableist approaches to artistry and access in dance. That work will continue, and we will carry Kat’s provocations and care with us along the way.
Kat Hawkins was born in Retford (Nottinghamshire) in 1988 and studied at the University of Leeds. In their first term of university Kat contracted Meningitis B and septicaemia and lost both legs below the knees. Kat remained a long-time supporter and Ambassador for Meningitis Research Foundation. A year later Kat returned to university and finished their degree. Kat loved dance and continued to attend rehearsals regularly and choreographed for the dance society. During this time Kat took up photography and set up a disability society in the University.
Kat completed an MA Religion and Public Life and in 2013 gained a place on BBC’s Journalism Trainee Scheme. Kat worked as a journalist, reporter and producer for Radio Manchester and a broadcast journalist for Northwest Tonight, and Radio 4’s religious affairs programme – Sunday, BBC Ouch, BBC World Hacks, and BBC Click.
Kat also played sitting volleyball for Team GB and was the 28th player to be capped by the women’s team, playing 29 international matches. Kat’s first GB match was against Russia in 2017 at the Pujulahti Games in Finland. Kat won their final cap against Poland in October 2023 at the European Championships in Italy. Kat also featured in the GB team at the 2019 European Championships in Hungary and one of their highlights was serving eight aces against France in October 2023.
Ian Legrand, who was Head Coach of the GB team during Kat’s time as a player, said: ‘Kat was a free spirit, with an infectious personality and a social conscience. Top Kat, always.’
Kat’s relationship with Candoco began in 2014. Kat said that ‘it was there that I began to learn about fear – the fear I felt at being in my body and of showing it to others. As soon as I was in an environment where that fear was removed, where all bodies were equal, I began to focus on possibilities.’
Kat performed their solo ‘Object Permanence’ at the Lilian Baylis Studio at Sadlers Wells in 2022, as part of a mixed bill. The Guardian called it the ‘highlight’ of the evening.
Kat’s film, ‘Spectator on Yourself’ previewed in 2025.
In Kat’s words – ‘Being a proud part of a disabled community has brought people into my life who are passionate, creative and determined. They have made me understand the world in a more radical way than I would have ever thought possible. And for that, I am thankful.’
On 24 March Kat would have been teaching Monday Night Improvisation – this class will not go ahead, but we will hold that space for those who loved Kat to come together in any way that they wish. Please find more information about this here. If you have capacity to donate, any funds will be used specifically to support the access costs of Kat’s friends to attend.
Anyone needing further support can go to the Cruse and Mind websites for information on coping with bereavement.