PhD Studentship – Reimagining Music Venues: Spatial, Digital & Experiential Innovation in Live Music

The PhD studentship will be awarded based on the strength of the individual candidate and their proposed research. However, we are particularly interested in research that explores the following:

Thematic Pathway 1: Spatial, Digital & Experiential Innovation in Live Music

From ABBA Voyage, Outernet London, to Depot Mayfield, the UK is home to some of the world’s most innovative live music venues, combining advanced sound, lighting, and projection technologies with elements of gaming, virtual production, and immersive brand worlds. We seek proposals from applicants interested in spatial design and creative technologies to reimagine music venues and performance spaces. This may include developing adaptive, hybrid physical-digital environments; designing sustainable and inclusive venue models; and exploring how architectural interventions can support new forms of live music engagement, audience interaction, and community participation.

Thematic Pathway 2: Technology and Product Development for Future Live Music Venues

From real-time spatial audio engines that respond to live data and inputs, to AI-driven lighting systems that respond to crowd energy, and hardware that enhances and supports artist performance, a new generation of products is redefining the live music experience. This research path focuses on the design, prototyping, and commercialisation of next-generation technologies for live music venues, performances, and audience experiences. We are particularly interested in proposals that move beyond concept towards tangible product development, spanning hardware, software, and integrated systems deployable in real-world environments. Proposals should demonstrate how emerging technologies can transform the creation, distribution, experience, and monetisation of sound within live contexts.

Above and beyond both thematic pathways, we particularly welcome applications from individuals who have worked in one or more of the following areas. Applicants are not expected to cover all domains; rather, we are interested in proposals that demonstrate depth in a particular area or explore connections across them.

• Creative Practice & Digital Production – applicants who see themselves as creative practitioners with strong digital skills (design, visualisation, 3D), capable of working across practice and research. This now includes contributions that re‑imagine music venues and performance spaces through prototypes, digital artworks, or experimental content engaging with emerging music technologies and hybrid physical‑digital environments.
• Experiential / Live Innovation – applicants with an interest in AI‑driven, interactive, or participatory tools for live music contexts within future venues. This could explore how emerging technologies reshape audience engagement, performance and hybrid formats, and real‑time creative experiences in adaptive, sustainable spaces.
• Software/Hardware‑Focused Approaches for Venue Innovation – applicants with an interest in tools and platforms that support the design, operation, and audience engagement of future music venues and performance spaces. This may include scalable digital solutions like adaptive environment software, digital-physical (robotics), venue data and analytics, and digital twins that enhance visibility, monetisation, and sustainable management.
• Accessibility and Sustainability in Venue Design – research and development that address inclusivity and environmental impact within venue and spatial innovation. This could involve designing and prototyping technologies or systems that widen participation, improve both physical and digital access, and support more sustainable modes of production and consumption in live and hybrid environments.

The candidate will need to fulfil the following expectations:

• Work with the MusicFutures team and delivery partners across the programme to devise, develop, deliver and analyse innovative, experimental, inclusive and sustainable approaches and models and devise methods to test and evaluate their effectiveness in real world trials.
• With the support of the MusicFutures team, periodically produce internal and public facing reports, materials and media that showcase and evaluate what MusicFutures delivers across the programme
• Be responsible for ensuring all ethical approvals, risk assessments and any other legal and safeguarding requirements are in place and met for all the related research
• Deliver a PhD thesis in one of two formats:
• A 80-100,000-word standard thesis that conceptualises, theorises and evaluates the effectiveness of, e.g., creative industry practices relevant to MusicFutures.
• A research-by-design thesis that consists of a body of original creative/practice work, and a written thesis (critical reflection/contextualisation) of no more than 50,000 words which contextualises that research within an academic framework. For instance, such a thesis could conceptionlise, develop and test new kinds of “digital practices”, which could lay the foundation for new products, services or experiences.

Given the dynamic and evolving nature of MusicFutures, the commitment to either pathway can be determined and finalised in discussion with the supervision team in the first year of study. Applicants should normally hold an MA (or equivalent), preferably with distinction, in any creative industry field (e.g. Architecture, Music, Communication Studies, or a cognate field including Computer Science.

The MusicFutures studentship comes with an expected commitment of research assistance work across relevant MusicFutures workstreams and engagement with the delivery team at the LEX offices. The main supervisor will be Prof Richard Koeck, director of MusicFutures.

Studentship holders are also to take a full role in their department(s) and the School more broadly, including attending staff meetings as required, participating in research activities, and undertaking training as necessary. All research students are encouraged to gain a qualification in teaching in Higher Education during their studies and will likely be offered relevant teaching opportunities.

1. Contact supervisors

To apply for this studentship, you must submit an online application to the PhD programme in Architecture Architecture PhD / MPhil | Courses | University of Liverpool, by Friday 10^th July 2026. In the relevant section of the application form that asks about funding, please include that you will be applying to the ‘Reimagining Music Venues: Spatial, Digital & Experiential Innovation in Live Music’ studentship.

Supervisors:

2. Prepare your application documents

You may need the following documents to complete your online application:

To support your application, you will need to submit:

• BA & MA award certificates (if you do not have an MA, please include evidence of relevant professional experience which will be considered at the discretion of the review panel)
• BA & MA transcripts
• Two references (one must be an academic reference)
• CV
• Passport
• Personal Statement of 500 words outlining how your professional experience has equipped you to apply and demonstrates how your ambitions align with the values of University of Liverpool’s 2031 strategic ambition.
• A 2000-3000-word research proposal (including a 300-word abstract at the beginning) that outlines an original idea demonstrating how creative technologies, tools, or processes can unlock knowledge to reshape the music sector in more inclusive, equitable, and sustainable ways. A research proposal typically includes a title, an abstract, context, research questions, research methods, research significance (expected outcome) and a bibliography.

Positive Action

Data shows that Women, Black, Asian and Ethnic Minority students are currently under-represented on the School of the Arts doctoral programmes and within the wider Music industry. We strongly encourage applicants from these groups and will use the Positive Action provision (Equality Act 2010) on selection decisions between candidates of equal merit.

To discuss the content of your proposal, please contact Prof Richard Koeck – r.koeck@liverpool.ac.uk.

3. Apply

Finally, register and apply online. You’ll receive an email acknowledgment once you’ve submitted your application. We’ll be in touch with further details about what happens next.

A successful UK only applicant will receive a stipend towards living expenses at the UKRI rate (currently £21,805 per year) in addition to tuition fees (£5,238), £27,043 in total.

The holder of the award will be expected to reside in the Liverpool City Region and participate in the research culture of MusicFutures, the Department of Architecture and Music. Both departments are part of the School of the Arts, which actively engages with the University of Liverpool’s commitment to diversity and equality, including Athena Swan (gender equality) and Advance HE’s Race Equality Charter.