Our research

Our network of reputable researchers and music therapists, are currently leading on a diverse portfolio of music therapy research, investigating its particular application in areas.

These include:

• Mental health
  Breakthrough research on the influence of music therapy practice for young people and adults with a range of emotional challenges and mental illness.
• Older people, dementia and stroke
  Investigating effects of music intervention for children and adults in neuro-rehabilitation after brain injury, and for people with dementia.
• Music and the brain
  Neuroscientific research inquiry into the impact of music therapy on cognition processes, emotion, memory and brain development.
• Autism spectrum disorder
  Exploring the clinical value of music-focused approaches to working with children with autism spectrum disorder and their families.

The Queen's Anniversary Prize

Our world-leading music therapy work, in particular our focus on the wellbeing of people living with dementia, earned The Queen’s Anniversary Prize in 2021. These prizes are the highest national honour in higher and further education. They recognise outstanding work that shows the highest levels of quality and innovation and delivers significant public benefit.