Centre for Music Education and Social Justice

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Music projects to break down barriers to opportunity | 9 July 2025

Four research projects that will use music to break down barriers to opportunity will kick off this summer. 

The projects are funded by the University of Southampton’s AHRC Hub for Public Engagement with Music Research, which works to uphold the Government’s manifesto statement that “the arts and music will no longer be the preserve of a privileged few.” 

The projects, all collaborations between researchers and non-academic partners, are:

Dr Johnson-Williams, Project Lead and Lecturer in Music Education and Social Justice said: “We are delighted to launch these four amazing projects, which all use music to explore timely issues relating to the transformational power of social justice.”

Lisa Tregale, Project Co-Lead, said: “These projects have the potential to activate pathways to significant change and impact in the UK, particularly around developing tangible policy recommendations. I look forward to seeing and hearing the results and learning from their shared outcomes.”

Stuart Lawrence, member of the Hub’s Prioritisation and Selection Committee, said: “I have felt very privileged to be asked to take part especially as music is not my ‘speciality’, although this enabled me to bring a different perspective to the discussion. I do hope that the projects we have picked will have the biggest impact to the users and the communities that they live and work in. I cannot wait to see them start to be rolled out.”

The projects will run for 12 months, culminating in a showcase concert at the BBC Hoddinott Hall in Cardiff on 7 July 2026.

Find out more on the project homepage.

For press enquiries, please contact Lucy Collie, PR Manager, University of Southampton or visit our press enquiry website.

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