Eimear Hurley

Thesis

Thesis

Policy, Practice and Playing: an analysis of the realisation of UK government policy on music education for adolescents in Yorkshire

• Supervisor: Dr Caroline Waddington-Jones & Dr Pete Dale

My research explores the realisation of UK government policy on music education for adolescents in England. Facilitating access to high quality music education for all children and young people has long been a government objective, yet music provision in and school and extracurricular settings across England remains patchy, and the role of music in state school education appears to be in decline (Barton & Henley, 2022; Bath et al, 2020). My PhD project is formed of a comparative case study, collecting qualitative data collected from 11-14 year-olds, music teachers and music programme leaders in socioeconomically and geographically distinct regions across Yorkshire. Analysing these data through a theoretical framework based at the intersection of music education, community music, adolescent psychology, and cultural policy scholarship, my thesis considers how policy is interpreted and implemented in different music education settings.

Biography

Biography

I hold a BA in Music and English and an MA in Music and Cultural History from University College Cork. Before beginning my doctorate, I worked for several years as a youth and community arts administrator, most recently as Opera Learning & Participation Officer at the Royal Opera House. Through my work with the international youth arts company ARTlifeCULTURE, I managed large-scale and international youth music programmes, culminating in performances at Milan World EXPO 2010 and at Lincoln Center, New York City. In my role as Programme Manager on the Summer Sing festival, I worked with inclusion partners across my hometown of Cork to facilitate access for children from diverse backgrounds to high-quality music experiences.
I am a keen choral singer and conductor, and am currently undertaking a conducting scholarship with Newcastle-based chamber choir, Cappella. I am also a member of the Irish Gamelan Orchestra, directed by Dr Mel Mercier.

Research

Research

Music education; cultural policy; music & adolescents; music & wellbeing; music sociology; music psychology; cultural geography; popular music studies; ethnomusicology

Publications

Publications

Conference papers presented:
- Trinity Laban Postgraduate Research in Music Education Symposium, online via Zoom, 28 October 2022, 'Policy, Practice and Playing:Considerations around the Implementation of UK Government Strategy on Music Provision for Adolescents'.
- International Centre for Community Music Student Symposium, York St John University, 21 November 2022, 'Policy, Practice and Playing:exploring state-funded music provision for adolescents in Yorkshire'.
- BFE/RMA Research Students' Conference, Northumbria University, 10 January 2023, 'Policy, Practice and Playing:exploring state-funded music provision for adolescents in Yorkshire'.
- Society for Musicology in Ireland-Internation Council for Traditional Music Postgraduate Student Conference, University College Dublin, 20 January 2023, 'Policy, Practice and Playing:exploring state-funded music provision for adolescents in Yorkshire'.
- University of York Music Department PGR Forum, February 2023, 'Considerations around policy and practice in government-funded music provision for adolescents in Yorkshire'.