ReseaRch Quality assuRance foR the futuRe a ... - Lund University

Panel 5 – BEHAVIOURAL SCIENCE
– Relevance (scientific, social and socioeconomic significance)
As mentioned above under ‘quality’, the international research community
value the work of the Malmö team very highly because they have
enabled us to understand the impact on musical behaviour and development
of key features of socio-cultural context, technology and media
across a wide range of musical genres.
– Vitality and ability to manage research
(flexibility, control and leadership)
One of the key features of the research group is its activity as a group,
with regular scheduled meetings for colleagues to share development,
explore ideas and support each other. This collectivity in the development
of the research culture is rare in the field of music education. Senior
members of the team provide an experience framework in which the
younger/less experienced members can flourish and in which everyone
can develop. This is highly commendable.
Overall, in terms of achievements, the evidence base (allied to my own
first-hand experiences of reading examples of their published output,
examining a recent PhD candidate and observing Malmö academics
presenting at international research symposia) suggests that the quality is
‘excellent’ according to your criteria.
Concerning ‘plans for the future’, the research team are aware of the
current limitations in opportunities for doctoral students to progress
post-qualification and the challenges of enabling the senior lecturers
to become more research active (a common challenge in music departments
with a strong performance component across the Western world).
Nevertheless, they will be building from a solid foundation and track
record. Their strength is in recognising that musical learning can be
equally powerful outside as well as within institutional settings and that
informal learning has been under-represented in the research literature.
Their proposed focus for the future is to build on their existing research
excellence and extend the number and variety of research sites to include
music learning across the lifespan (another under-researched area). Also
their intention to study musical performance as a learning activity is
at the forefront of development in this area and will enable them have
concrete contexts in which lifelong learning in music can be situated.
Given their track record, with continued support, they are ideally placed
to realise their goals. Overall, the planning overview is considered to
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