DEGEM News – FWD – [ak-discourse] PhD opportunity in ‚Emerging Technologies in Music: Implications for Musicians and Audiences‘

*PhD in Emerging Technologies in Music: Implications for Musicians and Audiences
*
*At CoStar National Lab & StoryFutures, Royal Holloway, University of
London*

*About the Project*
This PhD investigates use cases and implications of emerging technologies for the music industry, including AI and the advent of digital worlds, especially artists and audiences, and comes at a crucial moment, as technologies and their uses in the creative industries evolve rapidly. The PhD research project can be shaped by the candidate working with the supervisory team, and potential topics include artist-audience interactions and liveness, virtual identities in virtual and hybrid virtual-physical performances, and the role of AI in music, and perceptions of human creativity and AI-generated music and AI-assisted workflows. This project will directly work with CoSTAR creative industry partners and collaborators and will address commercial challenges and opportunities identified by industry. The candidate will also work alongside the CoSTAR National Lab’s BRAID research project (Bridging Responsible AI Divides), helping to critically evaluate demonstrators from that research. This PhD research is ideal for candidates from psychology, HCI, digital humanities, or related fields, interested in mixed-methods, experimental, and participatory research approaches, especially those interested in applying their research to the creative industries.

Based at Royal Holloway, University of London *Lead Supervisor Dr. Maruša Levstek (Email:Marusa.Levstek@rhul.ac.uk
<mailto:Marusa.Levstek@rhul.ac.uk>)*
Second Supervisor Prof. Jen Parker-Starbuck Research environment and industry engagement

As a CoSTAR PhD student, you will work at the intersection of research, creativity, and industry, with access to the CoSTAR National Lab’s creative industries partners, including Pinewood Studios, BT, Disguise, and the National Film & Television School, alongside a wide range of additional collaborators. This offers a unique opportunity to develop research that is intellectually ambitious, creatively driven, and connected to real-world challenges in the creative industries.

We welcome students who are curious, motivated, and excited by research, including those who may not see themselves as a “typical” PhD candidate. You do not need to have a fully formed project at the outset — we value potential, ideas, and a willingness to learn and collaborate, particularly in relation to AI and the creative industries.

*Supervision and support*
Students will be supported by expert Lead and Co-supervisors at their host institution, alongside a wider network of academic and industry mentors across the CoSTAR partnership. This provides a collaborative, inclusive research culture with opportunities for skills development, interdisciplinary exchange, and professional growth.

*Funding and financial support*
All studentships are fully funded for three years in most cases and include:

UK tuition fees, paid directly to the host institution A tax-free maintenance stipend at the UKRI minimum rate UKRI fees and stipend rates for 2026/27 have not yet been confirmed. For reference, in 2025/26, UK tuition fees were £5,006 and the annual stipend was £20,780 (or £22,780 where London weighting applied).

Students will also have access to additional funding for research and training costs through their supervisors at their host CoSTAR institution.

*How to Apply*
*Stage 1:*Expression of Interest

Applicants should contact the Lead Supervisor for their chosen PhD opportunity by email or via the ‚Register Interest‘ form below, and develop a 500-word Expression of Interest, outlining a proposed research project.This may include diagrams, timelines, and references if appropriate. Please submit this Expression of Interest along with a current CV and transcripts by Friday 6 March 2026. Applications must be complete and submitted on time. Please label files clearly using your surname and the PhD reference ID or keyword (e.g. SURNAME_Music Tech) and include this information in all correspondence.

*Stage 2:*Interviews of shortlisted candidates will be held before Friday 27 March 2026 (most likely 18 March).

*More information*
https://www.findaphd.com/phds/project/emerging-technologies-in-music-implications-for-musicians-and-audiences/?p193777
<https://www.findaphd.com/phds/project/emerging-technologies-in-music-implications-for-musicians-and-audiences/?p193777&gt;

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