RNCM announces new Head of Doctoral Programmes 

The RNCM is delighted to announce the appointment of Dr Tom Parkinson to the new position of Head of Doctoral Programmes.

Currently a Reader in Education at the Centre for the Study of Higher Education at the University of Kent, Tom has taught in the fields of both education and music since 2010. He has extensive experience of supervising and mentoring PGR students and early career researchers in the UK and internationally, and he has served as an external examiner and as programme validator at universities and conservatoires worldwide. His research interests include popular music education, songwriting, academic development, and higher education in forced displacement contexts.

In his new role, Tom will have overall responsibility for the RNCM’s doctoral programmes. He will work closely with the RNCM’s Director of Research, Professor Wiebke Thormählen, to refine and develop the PGR portfolio and its funding models and will contribute to the strategic development of collaborative research partnerships to the benefit of the PGR students and Early Career Researchers (ECRs).

Tom said: ‘I’m excited to be joining the RNCM in September. In collaboration with colleagues, I aim to build on the College’s existing strengths by further developing and diversifying its doctoral provision. This will include forging new partnerships to support ambitious research across a range of traditions and contexts. I’ll focus in particular on fostering an inclusive, intellectually stimulating environment for doctoral students and ECRs.’

This summer sees additional change for the department as Professor Jane Ginsborg retires from her role as Associate Director of Research after 20 years at the RNCM.

Speaking about the announcements, Wiebke said: ‘We are thrilled to welcome Tom to this new role. His wealth of knowledge and expertise will make a valuable addition to our incredible team of researchers and doctoral students, and I am very much looking forward to working with him when he starts in September.

‘I would also like to take this opportunity to thank Jane for her invaluable contribution to research at the RNCM since joining as a Research Fellow in 2005. We are particularly grateful for her leadership of the RNCM PGR programme, developing it from its first few students into the vibrant cohort size we all enjoy working with today. Everyone here wishes her a very happy, healthy, and well-deserved retirement.’

16 June 2025