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Research

Research

How pioneering research feeds into everything we do

Nordoff and Robbins research

The work of Nordoff and Robbins takes three different forms. Delivery, education and research. Our research allows us to properly examine our practice. It highlights opportunities that might otherwise go unnoticed. It helps us train our students more effectively. Ultimately, it gives us the knowledge we need to evolve our approach in a way that makes it more impactful for the people we support.

A young music therapy client sits smiling at a piano at a Nordoff and Robbins partner organisation

From the beginning music therapy contained the idea that music might become an important factor in social change. Music therapy can be seen as an orientation towards life, as a social movement, in addition to a treatment profession.

Even Ruud, psychologist and music therapist

Pioneers of music therapy

The Nordoff Robbins approach requires our music therapists be constantly aware of how their work is affecting the experience of their clients. That analytical instinct reaches into every aspect of our work. That’s why carrying out pioneering research is such an important part of what we do. And why everyone, from students to practicing therapists, has a part to play.

A person takes part in music therapy at Enable Glasgow, excitedly shaking a musical instrument in the air
A child client reaches out to touch the strings of the guitar his music therapist is holding.

Our public policy work

Our groundbreaking research provides us with the evidence we need in our efforts to influence public policy. We see up close how powerful musical therapy can be as a medical and therapeutic healthcare intervention, and we are passionate advocates for its use in wider healthcare settings. Here are some of our current public policy positions.

Music therapists listen, look, ask for help and advice, and come to understand how aspects of everyday life offer possibilities for musical-social action. They don’t do this alone! Part of their activism is to relinquish their expertise and authority and create networks based on shared and collaborative expertise and authority.

Mercédès Pavlicevic, music therapist

Our research projects

PhD projects can cover a broad spectrum of fascinating topics. For example, one current project is investigating how professional musicians adapt after an injury or during a chronic illness. Another is examining the therapeutic benefits of collaborative music making for prisoners. A third is looking at how cultural background influences how people experiencing psychosis engage with music therapy.

View current projects

A person smiles whilst vocalising into a microphone during a music therapy session.

PhD programme

Research by seasoned practitioners

Our PhD programme allows participants to extend their learning through practice-based research. Their studies also help us understand the impact of our work and evolve our approach, to better serve our clients. The programme, which is designed for seasoned practitioners in either music therapy or community music, is validated by Goldsmiths, University of London.

Read about our PhD programme

Two people hold out a drum to a young client during music therapy at a Nordoff and Robbins partner school. Together, they all smile and laugh.
A young person looks at the drums in a musical instrument cupboard, deciding which one they should choose

Resources

Helpful research tools

If you would like to learn more about our research, these online resources will be a useful place to start.

Help us enrich lives with music

To make all this happen, we’re reliant upon the generosity of people like you. We receive no government funding, so the transformative work we do is built upon fundraising, donations and volunteering.