Max W. Ellis is a PhD student in Acoustics and Audio Engineering at the University of Salford’s Acoustics Research Centre, based in Greater Manchester (UK). His research topic is Perception-Driven Engineering for eMobility and Future Soundscapes, in collaboration with the Department for Environmental, Food & Rural Affairs
(Defra), where he seeks to:
1. Understand the interaction effects and sound characteristics of novel noise sources.
2. Build/Adapt metrics, methods and models to predict annoyance affect of more eventful,
unconventional, complex soundscapes.
3. Gather qualitative & quantitative data from UK demographics to assess impact of future
soundscapes in context/s.
4. Produce a Virtual Reality (VR) application to showcase the findings to the public and shareholders with an interactive User Interface (UI).
Max’s academic background spans across several audio and machine learning disciplines. He has achieved a Diploma of Higher Education (DipHE) in Music Technology from University of the West of Scotland (2021) and was awarded the BSc Level 8 Court Medal for highest cohort GPA, before transferring to BDes (Hons) Sound for Moving Image at the Glasgow School of Art (2023) [2:1], where his dissertation focussed on Capabilities of Generative AI Tools for Music Production. In 2024, Max achieved an MSc in Computer Science with Artificial Intelligence from Abertay University [with Distinction], with his thesis on ‘Psychoacoustic Annoyance Models and Deep Learning for Prediction of UAV Noise Affect’ having been expanded into a conference paper for Forum Acusticum EuroNoise 2025.
He is a Research Member of the Institute of Acoustics, Associate Member of the Audio Engineering Society, and cohort member of the EPSRC CDT in Sustainable Sound Futures. Max also contributes to the Noise Network Plus Working Group (WG) for A.I. and Digital.
