[Commlist] 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 /at/ rhul.ac.uk) 
<mailto:(Marusa.Levstek /at/ 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>


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