Music and Performance Research
Blending applied, interdisciplinary and professional practice.
What we do
The School of Music and Performing Arts’ performance research areas are multi-disciplinary, looking at the impact of the arts on social change, the environment and notions of humanity. We have three core Research Groups which are outlined below.
Research groups
A research group that considers how cultural heritage is shared across borders and transmitted through arts practice.
An environment where creative practitioners can experiment with new approaches to scoring, creating cross-disciplinary work to support their research and practice.
A research collective that aims to celebrate and elevate knowledge that exists and emerges from our creative, embodied interactions and experiences.
A research group that considers how cultural heritage is shared across borders and transmitted through arts practice.
An environment where creative practitioners can experiment with new approaches to scoring, creating cross-disciplinary work to support their research and practice.
A research collective that aims to celebrate and elevate knowledge that exists and emerges from our creative, embodied interactions and experiences.
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Research degrees
With such a abroad and exciting range of research activity, Bath School of Music and Performing Arts is a great place to undertake study for a research degree.
If you have any questions, please contact the Higher Degrees Research Tutor for Music and Performance, Roger Apfelbaum (r.apfelbaum@bathspa.ac.uk).
Explore research degrees at BSURelated projects
Exploring the Transdisciplinary: In Search of a 'Toolkit'
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Ecotones: soundscapes of trees
Hear Water: Building Environmental Empathy Through Deep Listening
MediaWall
Interspecies listening
Mbira Hut
Word Events: Perspectives on Verbal Notation
Beyond East and West
Series as multipart pieces with regulated changes
Research and academic outputs
Dancing Chineseness and techno-choreography
book
Xu, Z (2025) Dancing Chineseness and techno-choreography. Routledge, Abingdon. ISBN 9781032979571
Encountering environments through the arts: interdisciplinary embodiments, politics, and imaginaries
book
Hunter, V and Chubb, S, eds. (2025) Encountering environments through the arts: interdisciplinary embodiments, politics, and imaginaries. Routledge, Abingdon. ISBN 9781032733791
The Routledge companion to site-specific performance
book
Hunter, V and Turner, C, eds. (2024) The Routledge companion to site-specific performance. Routledge, Abingdon. ISBN 9781032254104
Ecologies of creative music practice: mattering music
book
Lovett, M (2023) Ecologies of creative music practice: mattering music. Routledge, Abingdon. ISBN 9781032127033
The improvising teacher: reconceptualising pedagogy, expertise and professionalism
book
Sorensen, N (2023) The improvising teacher: reconceptualising pedagogy, expertise and professionalism. Routledge, Abingdon. ISBN 9781032121260
Researching site dance: entangled enmeshments
book_section
Hunter, V (2025) 'Researching site dance: entangled enmeshments.' In: Harman, G, ed. Practitioner perspectives on dance research. Routledge, Abingdon, pp. 126-142. ISBN 9781032566795
Notes on a material dramaturgy
book_section
Purcell-Gates, L (2025) 'Notes on a material dramaturgy.' In: Posner, D.N, Orenstein, C and Mello, A, eds. Making meaning in puppetry: materials, practice, perception. Routledge, Abingdon. ISBN 9781032458120
The streaming curve: streaming, the S curve and super-abundance
book_section
Lovett, M (2024) 'The streaming curve: streaming, the S curve and super-abundance.' In: Gullö, J-O, Hepworth-Sawyer, R, Paterson, J, Toulson, R and Marrington, M, eds. Innovation in music: adjusting perspectives. Routledge, Abingdon, pp. 11-25. ISBN 9781032500249
‘A holding space’: emergence and entanglement in tree spaces
book_section
Hunter, V (2024) '‘A holding space’: emergence and entanglement in tree spaces.' In: Hunter, V and Turner, C, eds. The Routledge companion to site-specific performance. Routledge, Abingdon, pp. 361-374. ISBN 9781032254104
Yūrei and puppetry in Japanese ghost stories: (mis)perception and ambiguous bodies in kaidan
book_section
Purcell-Gates, L (2024) 'Yūrei and puppetry in Japanese ghost stories: (mis)perception and ambiguous bodies in kaidan.' In: Orenstein, C and Cusack, T, eds. Puppet and spirit: ritual, religion, and performing objects. Volume II Contemporary branchings: secular benedictions, activated energies, uncanny faiths. Routledge, Abingdon, pp. 155-166. ISBN 9780367713799
Ulster Kitchen Comedy: ‘a faithful if unpleasant picture of the national fragments’
book_section
Connolly, R (2024) 'Ulster Kitchen Comedy: ‘a faithful if unpleasant picture of the national fragments’.' In: Cochrane, C, Goddard, L, Hindson, C and Reid, T, eds. The Routledge companion to twentieth century British theatre and performance. Volume one: 1900-1950. Routledge, Abingdon, pp. 318-330. ISBN 9780367487898
Perfect information: scores as self-evident processes
book_section
Saunders, J (2024) 'Perfect information: scores as self-evident processes.' In: Kocher, P, ed. TENOR: Ninth International Conference on Technologies for Music Notation and Representation, Zurich, Switzerland 4–6 April 2024. University of the Arts, Zurich, pp. 53-57.
Artificial creativity and tools for understanding: music, creative labour and AI
book_section
Lovett, M (2024) 'Artificial creativity and tools for understanding: music, creative labour and AI.' In: Gullö, J-O, Hepworth-Sawyer, R, Paterson, J, Toulson, R and Marrington, M, eds. Innovation in music: technology and creativity. Routledge, Abingdon, pp. 267-277. ISBN 9780367633363
Danser la plage : entre terre, mer et ciel
book_section
Hunter, V (2024) 'Danser la plage : entre terre, mer et ciel.' In: Clavel, J, Levain, A and Revelin, F, eds. Des vies avec des plages: expériences, relations, devenirs. University of Rennes, Rennes, pp. 131-142. ISBN 9782753594739
Staging corpses: reanimating medical history through puppetry
book_section
Purcell-Gates, L (2024) 'Staging corpses: reanimating medical history through puppetry.' In: Bouchard, G and Mermikides, A, eds. The Routledge companion to performance and medicine. Routledge, Abingdon, pp. 358-367. ISBN 9780367477738
A real American wife, a Japanese object: puppetry and the Orient in Minghella’s 'Madam Butterfly'
book_section
Poster-Su, T (2023) 'A real American wife, a Japanese object: puppetry and the Orient in Minghella’s 'Madam Butterfly'.' In: Bell, J, Cohen, M.I and Song, J, eds. Representing alterity through puppetry and performing objects. University Of Connecticut, Storrs.
Dancing otherwise: new assemblages for pluriversal practices
article
Hunter, V, Perazzo, D and Elliott, M (2025) 'Dancing otherwise: new assemblages for pluriversal practices.' Journal of Awareness-Based Systems Change, 5 (2). pp. 59-80. ISSN 2767-6013
Understanding community engagement in forest restoration in rural Zimbabwe through intercultural dialogue and participatory action research
article
Bayley, A, Clough, N, Dirwai, C, Manatsa, P and Tarr, J (2025) 'Understanding community engagement in forest restoration in rural Zimbabwe through intercultural dialogue and participatory action research.' Journal of Sustainable Development in Africa, 27 (2). pp. 79-104. ISSN 1520-5509
Natural soundscapes as a disciplinary bridge in pursuit of sustainability: research themes and priorities
article
Thornhill, I, Bayley, A, Collins, T.M, Goto, R, Hinde, K, Hunter, V, Kang, J, Kim, H, Kim, J, Kim, J.G, Lawfull, S, Lee, T, O'Brien, L, Rabiey, M, Shin, W.S, Sochacka, A, Walton, S, Wishart, S and Yu, J (2025) 'Natural soundscapes as a disciplinary bridge in pursuit of sustainability: research themes and priorities.' Ecosystems and People, 21 (1). e2571450. ISSN 2639-5916
EDITORIAL INTRODUCTION: The everyday is every day
article
Lovett, M, Land, T and Reeder, P (2025) 'EDITORIAL INTRODUCTION: The everyday is every day.' International Journal of Creative Media Research, 11. ISSN 2631-6773
"Listening to nature" – the rewards of an eco-creative curriculum
article
Bayley, A and Parsons, J (2024) '"Listening to nature" – the rewards of an eco-creative curriculum.' Teaching Times, 23 (4). ISSN 2105-6625
Pedagogical considerations: facilitating agency in the vocal recording of early career singer-songwriters
article
Hughes, D and Bayley, A (2024) 'Pedagogical considerations: facilitating agency in the vocal recording of early career singer-songwriters.' Journal of Popular Music Education, 8 (2). pp. 179-196. ISSN 2397-673X
If you call for papers, the papers call back at you: some thoughts on CfP and selection processes
article
Poster-Su, T (2024) 'If you call for papers, the papers call back at you: some thoughts on CfP and selection processes.' Studies in Theatre and Performance, 44 (1). pp. 142-145. ISSN 1468-2761
Decolonisation and solidarity roundtable discussion
article
Adewole Elliott, F, Antonia, A, Burt, R, Poster-Su, T, Ladrón de Guevara, V, Stanton, T and Tahsili, N (2024) 'Decolonisation and solidarity roundtable discussion.' Studies in Theatre and Performance, 44 (1). pp. 155-164. ISSN 1468-2761
Create to Collaborate: using creative activity and participatory performance in online workshops to build collaborative research relationships
article
Malpass, A, Breel, A, Stubbs, J, Stevens, T, Maravala, P-J, Shipman, E, Banks Gross, Z and Farr, M (2023) 'Create to Collaborate: using creative activity and participatory performance in online workshops to build collaborative research relationships.' Research Involvement and Engagement, 9. e111. ISSN 2056-7529
Within theatre, what is our shared understanding of the difference between crew and technician?
article
Wyse, P (2023) 'Within theatre, what is our shared understanding of the difference between crew and technician?' Theatre Design & Technology, 59 (3). pp. 32-39. ISSN 0040-5477
Where are we going? And what have we done?
article
Moorehouse, A (2023) 'Where are we going? And what have we done?' Tempo, 77 (305). pp. 7-16. ISSN 0040-2982
What do composers do all day? (2)
article
Saunders, J and Sergeant, M (2023) 'What do composers do all day? (2).' MusikTexte, 177/8. pp. 57-66. ISSN 0178-8884
Using mobile technologies to enhance learning and improve student engagement in the dance studio
article
Alexander, S, Boehm, J.D and Glen, N (2023) 'Using mobile technologies to enhance learning and improve student engagement in the dance studio.' Research in Dance Education, 24 (2). pp. 154-172. ISSN 1464-7893
Measuring is making: the radical indeterminacy of music
article
Lovett, M (2023) 'Measuring is making: the radical indeterminacy of music.' Leonardo, 56 (2). pp. 194-198. ISSN 0024-094X
Der persönliche Standpunkt von Puppenspieler*innen und die Konstruktion von „Race“ in „Chang and Eng and Me (and Me)“
article
Erbelding, M and Poster-Su, T (2023) 'Der persönliche Standpunkt von Puppenspieler*innen und die Konstruktion von „Race“ in „Chang and Eng and Me (and Me)“.' Double, 47.
Post-sonic perspectives on socially engaged compositional practices: composing ‘after sound’ and beyond music
article
Moorehouse, A, Matthews, H and Maia, O (2023) 'Post-sonic perspectives on socially engaged compositional practices: composing ‘after sound’ and beyond music.' Organised Sound, 28 (1). pp. 88-96. ISSN 1355-7718
Taskmasters and purposeless instructions: make-work as a compositional frame
conference_item
Saunders, J (2025) Taskmasters and purposeless instructions: make-work as a compositional frame. In: Royal Musical Association 61st Annual Conference, 10 - 12 September 2025, University of Southampton, UK.
The river of no one: telematic choreography and postdigital performance
conference_item
Xu, Z (2025) The river of no one: telematic choreography and postdigital performance. In: TaPRA Conference 2025, 27 - 29 August 2025, University of Warwick, Coventry, UK.
Unveiling the body: a creative exploration into (re)connecting with the body using performance-based practices
conference_item
Reading, K (2025) Unveiling the body: a creative exploration into (re)connecting with the body using performance-based practices. In: Embodied Voices Research Network Conference, 24- 25 April 2025, Warwick University.
Blending cultures: the intersection of A.I., VR, and intercultural identity in techno-choreography
conference_item
Xu, Z (2023) Blending cultures: the intersection of A.I., VR, and intercultural identity in techno-choreography. In: TaPRA Conference, 30 August - 1 September 2023, University of Leeds.
Borders: investigating liminality, outsiderness and solitude through an exploration of the sound environments of Andover
thesis
Ginger, O.D (2025) Borders: investigating liminality, outsiderness and solitude through an exploration of the sound environments of Andover. PhD thesis, Bath Spa University.
Evaluation practices in community music: a constructionist approach to exploring community musicians’ perspectives
thesis
Farrally, N (2025) Evaluation practices in community music: a constructionist approach to exploring community musicians’ perspectives. PhD thesis, Bath Spa University.
Revitalising the musical past of the Nogai through song: a contemporary interpretation of the Epic of Edige through Nine Rhapsodies
thesis
Yakubov, D (2025) Revitalising the musical past of the Nogai through song: a contemporary interpretation of the Epic of Edige through Nine Rhapsodies. PhD thesis, Bath Spa University.
Interfacial scores: indeterminacy of performing means as composition strategy
thesis
Chatzimakris, V (2025) Interfacial scores: indeterminacy of performing means as composition strategy. PhD thesis, Bath Spa University.
Embodying the Eerie: an investigation of the Eerie as a dramaturgical concept in processes of directing devised performance
thesis
Steadman, M.E (2025) Embodying the Eerie: an investigation of the Eerie as a dramaturgical concept in processes of directing devised performance. PhD thesis, Bath Spa University.
Gilgamesh and the ancient Near East: adapting ancient texts for modern musical stage works
thesis
Guinn, M (2025) Gilgamesh and the ancient Near East: adapting ancient texts for modern musical stage works. PhD thesis, Bath Spa University.
Immersive visual music: how contemporary visual music practices have evolved and how immersive technologies can be employed to compose visual music works
thesis
Kanellos, E (2024) Immersive visual music: how contemporary visual music practices have evolved and how immersive technologies can be employed to compose visual music works. PhD thesis, Bath Spa University.
Post-sonic and psychosocially engaged: developing a decentred, impact-focused approach to open-score composition
thesis
Moorehouse-Everett, A (2024) Post-sonic and psychosocially engaged: developing a decentred, impact-focused approach to open-score composition. PhD thesis, Bath Spa University.
New methods for developing collaboration in environmental composition
thesis
Matthews, H.W.J (2024) New methods for developing collaboration in environmental composition. PhD thesis, Bath Spa University.
Blending rebetiko with blues, jazz, and rock: intercultural songwriting and analysis
thesis
Polyzoidis, A (2024) Blending rebetiko with blues, jazz, and rock: intercultural songwriting and analysis. PhD thesis, Bath Spa University.
"These signs forerun the death or fall of kings": renegotiating masculinities and centrality in Shakespeare's second tetralogy through adaptation, direction and performance
thesis
Turner-McMullan, C.J (2024) "These signs forerun the death or fall of kings": renegotiating masculinities and centrality in Shakespeare's second tetralogy through adaptation, direction and performance. PhD thesis, Bath Spa University.
Writing music for an ancient Roman ensemble: artistic research in the recording studio
thesis
Tedstone Glover, M.A (2023) Writing music for an ancient Roman ensemble: artistic research in the recording studio. PhD thesis, Bath Spa University.
something happens then something else happens then all sorts of other things happen
composition
Saunders, J (2025) something happens then something else happens then all sorts of other things happen.
having to carry out the repetitive, mind-numbingly boring but still very necessary tasks required to manage increasingly complicated processes of production
composition
Saunders, J (2025) having to carry out the repetitive, mind-numbingly boring but still very necessary tasks required to manage increasingly complicated processes of production.
trying to make things fit together
composition
Saunders, J (2023) trying to make things fit together.
it is difficult to find the right way to proceed
composition
Saunders, J (2023) it is difficult to find the right way to proceed.
looking forwards, looking backwards
composition
Saunders, J (2023) looking forwards, looking backwards.
amongst it all, some occasional moments of respite
composition
Saunders, J (2023) amongst it all, some occasional moments of respite.
waiting for someone to do the thing you need them to do
composition
Saunders, J (2023) waiting for someone to do the thing you need them to do.
it is really hard to focus when there are too many things to do
composition
Saunders, J (2023) it is really hard to focus when there are too many things to do.
performing tasks they secretly believe do not really need to be performed
composition
Saunders, J (2023) performing tasks they secretly believe do not really need to be performed.
Day of the Dead ceremony / live music from Panther Panther
performance
Villierezz, P (2024) Day of the Dead ceremony / live music from Panther Panther. In: Letters To My Dead Mother (part of PAPAYA Fest), The Wardrobe Theatre, Bristol, UK, 17 October 2024.
Panther Panther live performance
performance
Villierezz, P and Gutarra, S (2024) Panther Panther live performance. In: Allen Valleys Folk Festival, Village Hall, Allendale, UK, 28 September 2024.
The Lonesome Death of Eng Bunker [creator, performer]
performance
Poster-Su, T (2024) The Lonesome Death of Eng Bunker [creator, performer]. Omnibus Theatre, London, UK, 17 - 27 September 2024.
Being River
performance
Xu, Z (2024) Being River. University Theatre, Bath Spa University, Bath, UK, 3 July 2024.
Xaman X live at The Jam Jar
performance
Villierezz, P, Lapes, J, Gutarra, S and Zubieta, M (2024) Xaman X live at The Jam Jar. Bristol, UK, 15 April 2024.
Don't worry, this is England ...
performance
Lewis-Smith, C (2024) Don't worry, this is England ... In: Embodying Ecocide: Between Hope and Hopelessness, University Theatre, Bath Spa University, Bath, UK, 21 March 2024.
Panther Panther live at The Jam Jar
performance
Villierezz, P, Gutarra, S and Zubieta, M (2024) Panther Panther live at The Jam Jar. In: Worm 'Valentines' Club: Pachyman // Miss Mash // Panther Panther, The Jam Jar, Bristol, 14 February 2024.
Review of Henry VI: Rebellion; Henry VI: The Wars of the Roses; Richard III presented by the Royal Shakespeare Company at the Royal Shakespeare Theatre, Stratford-upon-Avon [performance review]
other
Hipkiss, K (2023) Review of Henry VI: Rebellion; Henry VI: The Wars of the Roses; Richard III presented by the Royal Shakespeare Company at the Royal Shakespeare Theatre, Stratford-upon-Avon [performance review]. Shakespeare Bulletin, 41 (1). pp. 147-152. ISSN 1931-1427
Review of Shakespeare’s Henry V (directed by Max Webster for the Donmar Warehouse), streamed to cinemas by NT Live, 21 April 2022 [performance review]
other
Hipkiss, K (2023) Review of Shakespeare’s Henry V (directed by Max Webster for the Donmar Warehouse), streamed to cinemas by NT Live, 21 April 2022 [performance review]. Shakespeare, 19 (3). pp. 414-418. ISSN 1745-0926