Quick links to: the IMR's mission, its governance structures, its policy and review procedures. 

 

Located at Senate House in the heart of Bloomsbury, the Institute of Musical Research is the youngest of the ten Institutes comprising the University of London's School of Advanced Study. It was established in 2005 and began operation in 2006. It offers high-quality conference space and administrative support, dedicated study space and office facilities for visiting fellows, and infrastructural support for projects and research groups. Modest funds are available to co-sponsor events and research facilitation initiatives.

The School's ten Institutes are funded by HEFCE to serve their national subject communities. Each is run by a Director working with an Advisory Council including members from across the UK. Like its nine partners, the IMR is a national resource nested within the central University of London. It is designed to benefit everyone interested in advanced musical study, from independent researchers to large educational institutions within, and also beyond, the UK. For academic events it offers both a geographical hub where researchers can benefit from the accessibility of the capital, and an infrastructure capable of supporting collaborative initiatives across the country. In addition, the IMR hosts collaborative e-projects with international reach.

Working with individuals, specialist groups, learned societies, and local and national partners, the IMR enhances cross-disciplinary understanding and helps showcase the quality and diversity of musical research taking place within the UK. Its activities are designed to maximise benefit nationwide. Where possible, they are offered free of charge. The IMR website, and the web pages associated with its research projects, provide an information gateway open to all.

 

At the IMR we welcome expressions of interest from those wishing to be involved in the IMR events programme or its other research activities. The Director is also available to visit individual institutions, to outline the opportunities the Institute affords, and to discuss collaborative projects, postgraduate research training, and related subjects.

The Institute's activities are immediately overseen by an Advisory Council representing the national subject community. At present there are, beyond a burgeoning Development Committee, no internal committees beyond those attached to specific IMR projects; however, the Institute is represented on all relevant committees within the School of Advanced Study.

The Institute is also embedded in the life of the local community, not least as a member of the group Cultural Bloomsbury.

• To foster developments within musical research and to establish relationships with other disciplines across the humanities and social sciences, both in the UK and beyond.
• To promote collaboration between researchers within the University of London, throughout the UK and internationally, and to address the needs of those engaged in musical research, whether independent scholars, performers or composers, or affiliated members of universities, conservatoires, colleges and other music-related establishments.
• To play a national and international role in collating and disseminating information relevant to advanced musical studies, events and research in the UK.
• To provide a focus for collaborative postgraduate training.
• To provide a base for visiting scholars. 
• To offer a broad range of events, including conferences, study days and research-based workshops and performances, where possible in collaboration with other institutions, and to maintain a programme of lectures and seminars to complement those already offered within the University of London and elsewhere.
• To build links with the music industry and professions and with the wider public.
• To work closely with the University of London Research Library Services to develop the existing Senate House collection into a national Music Research Library and to enhance its research facilitation role.

The activities of the IMR are overseen by an Advisory Council whose remit is to guide the Director in the formation and execution of the Institute’s policies.

• Terms of Reference
• Membership

The launch of the IMR took place on 6th October 2006 at the British Academy. Photographs