Research Projects

DOCTOR IN MUSIC PERFORMANCE

The latest doctoral dissertations have been added to the TARA Research Repository and are available at the links below.

Park Atanassov, Grace Sun, 'From Sun 禪 (zen) to Sun 線 (line) to Sun 仙 (transcendence) : interdisciplinary exploration of identity through avant garde piano performance' (DMusPerf dissertation, Royal Irish Academy of Music, 2026)

Murphy, Brian, 'Conductors for change: a framework of conductor competencies for supporting adolescent male choral singers' (DMusPerf dissertation, Royal Irish Academy of Music, 2026)

Carnes, Douglas J., 'Relationship-based Teaching: An Exploration of its potential role on Post-Primary School Music Students' Self-Efficacy in the Republic of Ireland' (DMusPerf dissertation, Royal Irish Academy of Music, 2026)

O'Grady, Róisín, 'Selected Vocal Repertoire from the Dallis and Ballet Lute Manuscripts: A Singer's Perspective' (DMusPerf dissertation, Royal Irish Academy of Music, 2026) 

O'Neill, Megan, 'Reimagining Mary Magdalene: an exploration of John Adams's The Gospel according the the other Mary' (DMusPerf dissertation, Royal Irish Academy of Music, 2025)

EUROPEAN PROJECTS

IncluMusic Erasmus+ Cooperation Partnership Project

The Royal Irish Academy of Music (RIAM) was a proud partner in IncluMusic (Increasing Skills for Building More Inclusive Conservatoires), a three-year Erasmus+ Cooperation Partnership project (2022 - 2025) that published its findings, alongside a free E-learning Course and supporting materials in 2025. 

The project set out to foster inclusion within Higher Music Education Institutions (HMEIs) by equipping teachers, administrators, and tutors with the skills and knowledge needed to better support students with Special Educational Needs (SEN) and students with additional needs. Following this project, Inclumusic is available as an online, self-paced course for teachers and administrative staff, which is free and accessible from 2025-2030 under Erasmus+ funding.

At its core, IncluMusic sought to create pathways for all students to access, participate in, and complete higher music education, regardless of ability or circumstance. Through the development of new training resources and professional roles, the project aimed to build institutional capacity for inclusive practice across the European music education sector.

Project Goals and Outcomes

IncluMusic focused on three central objectives:

• Enhancing the skills and awareness of academic and administrative staff in supporting students with additional needs.
• Creating new professional roles within HMEIs, such as the Academic Tutor for Inclusive Music Teaching, to monitor and advance social inclusion practices.
• Building a European community of practice committed to inclusive approaches in music learning and performance.

These goals were achieved through the design and delivery of the IncluMusic E-learning Course, a comprehensive, self-paced online training programme now freely available to all music educators.

The course includes six modules:

1. Disability Studies, Special Pedagogies, and the Inclusive Music Teacher
2. Special Music Methodologies and Assistive Technologies
3. EU Framework and National Legislations
4. Mindfulness and Inclusive Music Teaching
5. Music Therapy, Music, and Health
6. Inclusive Music Education and Community Music

Developed collaboratively by partner institutions, the course combines academic theory, case studies, and practical tools to support teachers and administrators in fostering inclusive learning environments.

The platform was piloted across participating universities and conservatoires, with over 20 staff members taking part in the testing phase. Their feedback helped refine the content and ensure its relevance to the day-to-day realities of music teaching and learning. The course materials remain freely accessible through the IncluMusic E-learning Platform and will be available until 2030.

RIAM’s Role

RIAM played an active role throughout the project, with Kim Fallen Bailey and Jessica Harris serving as project coordinators. Their expertise in inclusive pedagogy and music therapy shaped both the design and implementation of the course content.

RIAM also hosted one of the project’s key dissemination events, featuring interactive workshops and presentations that explored the relationship between music education, well-being, and accessibility. These sessions brought together international educators and practitioners to share strategies for supporting students with a wide range of learning profiles.

A European Collaboration

IncluMusic was coordinated by the Gheorghe Dima National Academy of Music (ANMGD) in Cluj-Napoca, Romania, with contributions from leading institutions across Europe:

• Conservatorio di Musica Statale “Alessandro Scarlatti” (Palermo, Italy)
• Royal Irish Academy of Music (Dublin, Ireland)
• European University Cyprus (Nicosia, Cyprus)
• Università LUMSA (Rome, Italy)
• ValueDo (Florence, Italy)
• Association Européenne des Conservatoires (AEC) (Brussels, Belgium)

Together, these partners developed a model for inclusive teaching and institutional support that can be adapted by higher music education providers across Europe.

Legacy and Impact

The IncluMusic Project leaves a lasting legacy for the future of higher music education. By combining research, practice, and shared expertise, it has established a foundation for sustained inclusion and equity across conservatoires and universities.

Through the free E-learning Course and supporting materials, educators now have access to structured, practical guidance to help them make their teaching environments more accessible and responsive to the needs of all learners.

Funded by the European Union. 

More information available on the IncluMusic website.