Salford Seminars in Sound & Music: Sound Music & the Environment
Oct 20, 2025
Location
New Adelphi (Band Room, rm 3.02), University Road, Salford M5 4BR
Description
Join us for a panel discussion bringing together composers, sound artists, and researchers to explore the intersections of sound, music, and environment. We will investigate how place and environment shape creative work, how we perceive our everyday soundscapes, and how
artistic practices can raise awareness of acoustic ecology.
Speakers:
Prof. Bill Davies (University of Salford)
Bill Davies is a leading researcher in soundscape studies, psychoacoustics, and aural diversity.
His work investigates how humans perceive and respond to complex sound environments. He
is currently Director of LAURA at the University of Salford, other previous major projects
include the Positive Soundscape Project and S3A: Future Spatial Audio.
Hayley Suviste (University of Manchester)
Hayley Suviste is a sound artist and composer working with field recordings, archival material,
and oral histories. Her work explores community, culture, and environment, often focusing on
Manchester’s rural and urban narratives through interviews and collaboration. Her practice
spans installation, immerisve audio, live performance, and long-form composition.
Dr. David Vélez (Independent / University of Huddersfield)
David Vélez is a Colombian sound artist, composer, and researcher whose interdisciplinary
practice engages field recordings, found objects, and acoustic ecology. His work often
examines the acoustics of plants and ecosystems. Recent projects include The Calder in Your
Bones, which uses underwater and subterranean recordings of the River Calder to explore
environmental themes and material resonance.
Emily Zurowski (University of Salford / Spirit Studios)
Emily Zurowski is a Scottish composer, sound designer, and performer based in Manchester.
Her practice encompasses immersive, interactive, and socially engaged projects. She regularly
collaborates with filmmaker Maire Tracey (BBC, National Geographic) and has performed with
artists such as The Orielles and WH Lung. Emily is currently developing an immersive audio
project with Manchester communities focused on green spaces threatened by urban
development.
Chair: Dr. Simon Connor (University of Salford)
Simon Connor is a lecturer, composer, and sound designer whose research and practice
explores the intersection of field recording and instrumental composition, particularly within
audiovisual landscapes.
UK Acoustics Network Plus Physical Acoustics and Early Career SIG workshop on Careers in Acoustics
Mar 20, 2025
Location
Institute of Physics, London
Description
As an Early Career representative member of the Special Interest Group (SIG), I, along with a few colleagues, organised a workshop titled Careers in Acoustics.
Held on Thursday, 20th March, at the Institute of Physics in London, the Physical Acoustics and Early Career SIG workshop was attended by over 35 people and had a vibrant, engaging atmosphere. It was wonderful to see early, mid, and senior career members of the UK Acoustics Network Plus all in one room, sharing their experiences.
Eight invited speakers discussed opportunities in the acoustic engineering industry and beyond, highlighting the skills currently in demand and how to successfully transition from academia to industry. We were pleased to welcome representatives from prominent organisations including Hoare Lea, Innovate UK, Multiwave Technologies AG, Rolls-Royce, and Airbus.
Ten early career attendees were selected to present their skills to the workshop audience, and each of them demonstrated exceptional professionalism and showcased their capabilities impressively.
The workshop concluded with a lively panel discussion, during which early career attendees continued the conversation with invited speakers about opportunities in both academia and industry.
I was a member of the organising and technical committee for the Quiet Drones 2024 conference in Manchester, held in September 2024. The conference featured presenters from across the world, including both academia and industry. As part of the event, I organised and chaired a UAM/UAS Industrial Partner panel discussion on the current challenges faced by the industry. This event provided a unique platform for engaging in cutting-edge discussions and fostering collaborations in this specialised domain, presenting an unparalleled opportunity for advancement and innovation.
