The RMA Study Day on Qualitative Interviewing in Music Research took place on June 27, 2024, at the Royal College of Music, organised by Mark Rowles, a PhD candidate at the Royal College of Music. This hybrid event focused on the significance of qualitative interviewing in shining a light on participants’ experiences and viewpoints on a range of topics within music research. Qualitative interviewing plays a crucial role in knowledge creation, and enables researchers to examine the assumptions of existing theories and contribute to the formulation of new ones.

The study day aimed to unite doctoral students from diverse music research fields and to exchange ideas regarding methods and challenges in qualitative interviewing while fostering supportive dialogue among peers.

Approximately 75 attendees participated in the Study Day, with 21 present in person. Ten presenters from institutions including UCL, the University of Leeds, and the University of Trento shared insights into their experiences. The presenters and attendees came from a variety of backgrounds, including music education, ethnomusicology, performance science, and performance presentation. The day featured two keynote talks by Katherine Williams (University of Huddersfield) and Carsten Wernicke (University of Koblenz/Leuphana University), who showcased demonstrations of qualitative analysis using software. Each presentation lasted 20 minutes, followed by 10-15 minutes of chaired discussions that fostered a transparent, non-judgmental atmosphere which promoted enriching exchanges and cross-disciplinary learning.

Many presenters discussed ethical considerations related to their research, and several post-presentation discussions centred on this theme. In her talk, “Role Duality and Ethics in Music Education Research: Perspectives from a Conservatoire Educator-Researcher,” Evangeline Ching (Royal College of Music) emphasised the need for adaptability in research based on participants’ specific needs. This led to productive discussions about how researchers can adjust their approaches, particularly when working with individuals with disabilities or mental health challenges.

Another prevalent theme explored throughout the day was the emphasis on process. Many delegates expressed interest in the reasoning behind presenters’ decisions, noting that the practicalities and processes involved in preparing and conducting qualitative research are often overlooked in the literature. For example, Naadia Sherrif (University of Kent), in her presentation titled “When the Ideal Meets the Real: Approaching Qualitative Research on Women in Contemporary Jazz,” described the specific challenges of accessing young participants for interviews and how she adapted her strategies to address these issues. Understanding these real-world research experiences can deepen our comprehension of research findings and encourage greater transparency among researchers regarding their qualitative studies.

Mark Rowles is currently pursuing his PhD at the Royal College of Music, researching the role of music listening in the lives of individuals experiencing psychosis.