The Sound + Environment Research Group at Newcastle University brings together researchers working across arts and sciences to explore the ways that sound can deepen our understanding of environments and the communities inhabiting them. For example, recent developments in the field of ecoacoustics are proving fruitful in assessing ecosystem change. Sound and listening are also increasingly used to monitor built structures and to inform urban and rural landscape design. We can use sound for scientific and artistic exploration, to inform and expand our knowledge of environments and our relationships to the world around us. Sound can inform a range of innovative interventions and solutions to problems. Through exploring scientific and artistic approaches together, we engage with sound and listening to create complementary ways of investigating, understanding, and taking action.

So far, the group has brought together researchers working across archaeology, architecture landscape and planning, biology, computing, engineering, ecology, fine art, geography, heritage studies, history, law, music, and physics.

The Sound + Environment Research Group sits within the Centre for Landscape and the Institute for Creative Arts Practice at Newcastle University. 

Co-directors:

Dr Rob Mackay (rob.mackay@newcastle.ac.uk)

Dr Usue Ruiz Arana (usue.ruiz-arana@newcastle.ac.uk)