The Eighth Performance Studies International Conference will be hosted by the School of Music, University of Leeds, on 15–18 July 2027 (both in person and online).  

The conference will address a wide range of musics, methodologies, questions, and practices relating to Performance Studies.  

We invite contributions that reflect this diversity, including (but not limited to) early music, contemporary and experimental music, global musics, acoustic, popular, electronic and multimedia performance. We encourage a broad range of approaches including musical instrument studies, performance practices including historically informed approaches and analytical approaches to performance and recordings, contemporary and ‘extended’ instruments and techniques, psychological approaches to performance and audience research, and pedagogic research in music performance. However, any topic in the field of music performance studies will be considered.  

The conference programme will include: 

• Discussion session: ‘Equality and Diversity in Performance Studies’ led by Dr Amy Bliers-Carruthers (GSMD) with contributions from Dr Sam Murray (University of Leeds), Dr Diljeet Bhachu (Equality, Diversity & Inclusion Officer, MU), and Grace Goodwin (University of Liverpool / Gender Equity in Music across Europe). 

• Interactive workshop: ‘Music&Me: Exploring a Musical Identities Toolkit to support musicians to navigate their futures’ led by Prof. Karen Burland (University of Leeds) and Dr Michelle Phillips (RNCM). 

• Discussion session: ‘Developing practice-research methods and values as pedagogies for performance and beyond’, led by Dr Scott McLaughlin (University of Leeds) with contributions from Dr Mira Benjamin (City St George's, University of London), and Dr Lauren Redhead (Goldsmiths, University of London).  

• Synthesizer ensemble performance practice workshop led by Dr Ewan Stefani (University of Leeds), part of the Synthesizer Research Network (SyReN). 

• Musical performances hosted by the University of Leeds International Concert Series. 

We welcome proposals from scholars, postgraduate researchers, and practitioners at all stages of their careers.  

Proposals are invited for: 

• Individual papers/presentations (20 mins + 10 mins discussion; delivered in person or remotely via video conference)  

• Lecture-recitals/performance-lectures/demonstrations of practice (30 mins + 10 mins discussion; in-person only) 

• Special themed sessions (1 hr + 15 mins discussion; delivered in person or remotely via video conference) 

Proposals can be submitted here. 

Format of proposal: 

• Name(s) of presenter(s) 

• Contact email address 

• Title and type of presentation (as specified above) 

• Abstract (250 words) 

• Biography of presenter(s) (100 words) 

• Technical requirements (beyond normal AV presentation facilities) 

Key dates: 

• Proposal submission: 14 September 2026 (Midnight GMT) 

• Notification of acceptance: January 2027 

• Provisional conference programme announced; registration opens: February 2027 

The conference is being held in association with SEMPRE who have kindly offered support in the form of bursaries for student or unwaged presenters (to cover registration fees, accommodation, and travel costs). The application process for bursaries will happen after papers are accepted and presenters have been notified. 

Please send any questions to psn2027@leeds.ac.uk 

Dr Emily Payne and Dr Scott McLaughlin, Conference co-organisers 

School of Music, University of Leeds, UK