About

The Research Commission was the first commission formed within the International Society for Music Education. Its first meeting took place in Reading, England in 1968.

The Research Commission seminars bring together a broad range of participants from the various branches of music including music psychology, performance, theory, composition, sociology and musicology. A common interest in the pursuit of inquiry and scholarship contributes to a learning environment for early career and experienced researchers alike that is characterised by hard work, strong scholarship and collegiality.

In 2018, the ISME Research Commission celebrated its 50th anniversary pre-conference seminar in Dubai. Additionally, a second celebration took place through the “Jornadas de Investigación en Artes: 50 Años Después” in Buenos Aires, Argentina, under the auspices of the ADOMU and Fundación UADE. 

Vision

The Research Commission holds as a central value that the theory and practice of music education be underpinned by a strong research evidential base. The Research Commission promotes the development of an inquiry-based approach to the theory and practice of music education that draws on a range of research methods and techniques.

Mission

The mission of the ISME Research Commission is to:

• Examine through research important issues facing music education worldwide
• Develop, refine and demonstrate a range of research approaches, methods and techniques for critically examining issues in music education
• Provide a forum for the communication, critical analysis and dissemination of research innovations in music education 
• Deepen and develop the research knowledge base for practitioners, policy makers and researchers in music education

Activity

The Research Commission accomplishes its mission by providing workshops, lectures, seminars and demonstrations in different locations in order to build research capacity and to promote research expertise in all regions of the ISME membership. Commission seminars, held immediately before each world conference, bringing together early career and experienced researchers from around the world.

Contact

Click here to contact the ISME Research Commissioner, Ruth Brittin.