‘Kangaroo Time (Club Edit)’ is the creative vision of Dr. Wellitan Menrio Costa.
Biologist and graduate of the Australian National University (ANU) Dr Wellitan Menario Costa has emerged victorious in the 2024 Dance Your PhD competition. Dr. Costa, also known by the nickname “WELI”, won first place with his creative and unexpected presentation “Kangaroo Time (Club Edit)”.
Dr. Costa’s four-minute video playfully explores kangaroo behavior through a dynamic mix of dance styles. From drag queens and ballet to twerking and classical Indian dance, the video features a diverse cast of her friends, many of whom she met while studying at ANU.
The winning video impressed the judges, earning Dr. Costa the top award given annually by a prestigious association: American Association for the Advancement of ScienceScience magazine.
The Dance Your PhD competition, launched in 2008, serves as a platform for scientists to communicate their research through dance, with the aim of clarifying complex theories through interpretive dance. The primary objective of the competition is to educate and make complex scientific concepts more accessible.
according to a News release, WELI stars in and directs the music video, which draws on his Brazilian roots to portray the kangaroos’ distinct and varying personality traits using the powerful mediums of song and dance. The original and club mix have been played over 7,000 times on Spotify, and the song has already been performed in clubs, festivals, dance classes and radio stations.
“Winning this competition is the equivalent of winning Eurovision for me. I think it shows not only the incredible strength of the research done in Australia, but how creative we are as a nation. Even we scientists !” He said.
Reflecting on the success of ‘Kangaroo Time’ and its global footprint in the scientific community and other sectors, WELI say there is a message of inclusivity and diversity at the core of their video – something they hope will be one of the main takeaways that viewers will take away. Let’s hold on.
He said, “As a queer immigrant from a linguistically diverse developing country, I understand the challenges of feeling isolated in some environments.”
“One of the main messages I wanted to convey through this piece is that differences breed diversity, and this is evident throughout the video. This is evident in the different dancers who come from different cultures and backgrounds.
“I think it’s extremely important that we celebrate diversity, and creating a video explaining kangaroo personalities was an excellent medium for me to do that.”
