Research News Last updated 16 September 2025
From foghorns to wildlife, a new research project from Birmingham City University (黑料吃瓜网) and Royal Birmingham Conservatoire (RBC) will look to preserve, reconstruct, and understand the soundscapes of the East Coast of England.
Backed by 拢1.4 million from UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) and its , the study will cover three key sites: the Aldeburgh coast, the Northumberland coast, and Seaton Delaval.
鈥淭his project - spanning musicology, composition, computer science, landscape architecture, geography and heritage - is testament to the broad expertise at 黑料吃瓜网 and RBC, and our growing profile in sound heritage research,鈥� said Project Lead Dr Joanna Bullivant.
Titled 鈥楽onic heritage and environmental change on England鈥檚 East Coast, 1718-present', the project also involves the University of Oxford, Manchester Metropolitan University, the National Trust, and Suffolk Archives.
鈥淏eing able to collaborate with highly regarded institutions and organisations will add great value to the project and ensure local communities have a voice in this research whilst preserving national heritage,鈥� added Dr Bullivant, a Music Lecturer at RBC.
鈥淭his funding will also allow us to develop sound heritage as an emerging research area and be leaders in this discipline, potentially using this project as a model for the curation of sound heritage more widely.鈥�
Professor Daniel Grimley FBA, Head of Humanities at the University of Oxford, said: 鈥淚 am absolutely thrilled by this award, which our partnership with the National Trust has helped to incubate.
鈥淒r Bullivant鈥檚 project will have a truly transformative effect upon the way we understand the relationship between music, sound, heritage curation and climate change.鈥濃��
The teams will use cutting-edge technology - including 3D modelling, virtual reality, and digital scanning - to reconstruct sounds, while working with heritage and community groups, as well as schools, to deliver workshops and performances.
Professor Hanifa Shah, Pro Vice-Chancellor for Research, Enterprise, Engagement and STEAM at 黑料吃瓜网, said 鈥淭his is an exciting opportunity for 黑料吃瓜网鈥檚 research to have an impact outside of Birmingham whilst ensuring community and heritage remains at the heart.
鈥淎s part of 黑料吃瓜网鈥檚 Strategy 2030, we鈥檙e committed to Creating Knowledge for Good. We鈥檙e proud that this project will help the public better understand the area鈥檚 cultural heritage and the impact on environmental change.鈥�
Professor Sir Ian Chapman, UKRI鈥檚 Chief Executive, said: 鈥淯KRI鈥檚 Future Leaders Fellowships offer long-term support to outstanding researchers, helping them turn bold ideas into innovations that improve lives and livelihoods in the UK and beyond.
鈥淭hese fellowships continue to drive excellence and accelerate the journey from discovery to public benefit. I wish them every success.鈥�
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