Research and Innovation
The RNCM provides a unique research environment in which musical creativity and experimentation can flourish by continually forging new connections between teaching, research, and performance.
Aligned with our mission to Power the Music of Tomorrow, we support the next generation of creative practitioners and educators in challenging traditions and shaping the cultural and social landscape of tomorrow.
RNCM researchers work across the methodologies of five key disciplinary areas: performance, composition, music psychology, music education, and musicology (socio-cultural histories, analysis and philosophy). In dialogue with each other, our different approaches to understanding music stimulate cutting-edge research that forms the foundation of our strength in practice-based work across performance and composition; educating in and through music; music and wellbeing (from health to cultural values and identities); and music and science.
Specialist Pathways
- Performance
- Composition
- Pop
- Music Education
- Music Psychology
- Musicology
Doctoral Programmes
The RNCM offers two doctoral degree programmes: a PhD for those who want to undertake original research, and a new Advanced Artist Diploma for those seeking to advance their professional practice and creative development.
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Doctoral
PhD
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Doctoral
Advanced Artist Diploma
Activity
Research at the RNCM comes to life through projects, partnerships, performances, public engagement, and knowledge exchange. From internationally recognised research projects and collaborative initiatives to research centres, conferences, workshops, performances, and public events, our activity demonstrates how research informs artistic practice, education, innovation, and society.
As a specialist institution and major cultural venue, we create opportunities for researchers, students, artists, educators, industry partners, and communities to work together, exchange ideas, and generate impact. Our activity spans the full breadth of the RNCM’s research strengths, including performance and composition, music education, music psychology, musicology, music and wellbeing, and music, science, and technology, while contributing to local, national, and international conversations about the future of music. This page brings together the latest research projects, events, centres and institutes, achievements, and news from across the RNCM research community. For more on research activity at the RNCM, please see the areas below:
Sir John Manduell Research Forums
Join us for this free series of events and hear from leading academics, performers, and composers as they share their insights, experiences, and research.
Research Management Team
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Wiebke Thormählen
Director of Research
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Austin Glatthorn
Head of Research Management, Lecturer in Music
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Tom Parkinson
Head of Doctoral Programmes
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Emily Howard
Professor in Composition and Head of Artistic Research
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David Bainbridge
Research and Knowledge Exchange Officer
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Charlotte Wheatcroft
Programme and Assessments Coordinator (Research)
Connect with Us
The RNCM works with researchers, artists, educators, businesses, cultural organisations, health partners, and communities to turn specialist knowledge into creative, social, and economic benefit. Our research-informed and industry-facing approach supports collaboration, consultancy, professional development, and public engagement, connecting external partners with our staff, facilities, and distinctive expertise in music. Whether you want to develop a research project, access specialist advice, join our research community or speak to an expert, we welcome opportunities to explore what we can achieve together.
Visiting Opportunities
We welcome applications/contact from researchers interested in joining our vibrant research community through honorary and visiting appointments.
Collaborations
We actively collaborate with partners across the creative industries and education and health sectors to develop innovative research projects with real-world impact.
Consultancy
Our staff offer specialist expertise across a wide range of disciplines, providing consultancy to organisations in creative industries and education and health sectors.
Media Enquiries
Our researchers are available to contribute expert insight and commentary. Please get in touch for media enquiries and interview requests.
As a specialist conservatoire, the RNCM combines research expertise with close connections to professional practice, education and the creative industries. Our strengths include:
- Artistic research and innovation, including composition, performance, creative technologies, immersive audio, artificial intelligence and interdisciplinary music-making.
- Music, education and social impact, encompassing inclusive pedagogy, professional development, widening participation, health and wellbeing, social cohesion and place-based engagement.
- Creative-industries expertise, including entrepreneurship, portfolio careers, workforce development, audience engagement, intellectual property and support for freelancers and small creative businesses.
- Industry-informed research and training, developed through sustained relationships with cultural organisations, educators, Music Hubs, civic bodies and professional practitioners.
- Public engagement and cultural heritage, using performances, archives, collections, exhibitions and digital interpretation to make research accessible to wider audiences.
- Specialist facilities and public venues, providing environments in which new ideas can be developed, tested, performed, evaluated and shared.
Our ambition is to remain a global leader in music education and research, a catalyst for positive change in the cultural and creative industries, and a civic anchor for Manchester and the North. We aim to deepen access to RNCM expertise, expand consultancy and collaborative research, strengthen the skills and resilience of the creative workforce, and ensure that innovation in music produces meaningful benefits for industry, communities and public life.
Resources
Library
Archives
Collection of Historic
Musical Instruments
Research Portal
Research News
Stay up to date with the latest research achievements, project developments, publications, partnerships, awards, and impact from across the RNCM research community.
RNCM launches 10-year plan to power the music of tomorrow
7 October 2026
RNCM welcomes four visiting researchers
15 July 2026
Documents
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Research Ethics and Integrity
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