The Research Team
Þorbjörg Daphne Hall
Þorbjörg Daphne Hall is a Professor at the Iceland University of the Arts, with expertise in music in Iceland, popular music and place, and ethnographic methodology. She has a proven track record of publishing in peer-reviewed journals and with esteemed publishers, including a co-edited volume on Icelandic music with Equinox Publishing (2019). She is the Project Leader.
Lee Higgins
Lee Higgins is a professor at York St John University, UK and the Director of the International Centre of Community Music. His Ph.D. is from the Irish World Academy of Music and Dance, Limerick, Ireland. As a presenter and guest speaker, he has worked on four continents in university, school, and NGO settings and was the President of International Society of Music Education from 2016 to 2018. He was the senior editor for the International Journal of Community Music (2007-2021), author of Community Music: In Theory and in Practice (2012, OUP), and Thinking Community Music (2024, OUP), co-author of Engagement in Community Music (2017, Routledge) and co-editor of The Oxford Handbook of Community Music (2018).
Jo Gibson
Jo Gibson is a Research Fellow at York St John University and external supervisor for Guildhall School, with expertise in community music, Practice as Research and collaborative practice. As a practitioner- researcher, she has significant music leadership experience and has developed innovative research dissemination and knowledge exchange events for a range of stakeholders including community and art organisations, and higher education institutions.
Sigrún Sævarsdóttir-Griffiths
Sigrún Sævarsdóttir-Griffiths is a musician, educator and music leader, with an international career spanning over 25 years, working within higher education and various social and community contexts. For 12 years, Sigrun was Course Leader of the Masters in Leadership Programme at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama, where she continues to lecture and lead artistic work. Sigrun is founder and artistic director of MetamorPhonics, an award-winning Community Interest Company, establishing performing and recording musical bands, in collaboration with higher education institutions, occupation rehabilitation centres and homeless charities in the UK and in Iceland. Sigrun is passionate about enabling music making and access to the arts as an essential, unifying element of life, in every community.
Anna Hildur Hildibrandsdóttir
Anna Hildur, began her career as a broadcaster and producer before moving into the music industry. In 2007 she became the first MD of Iceland Music Export after 10 years’ experience of music management In 2017 she decided to get back into production and co- founded Tattarratta. Alongside that she started her academic career as an adjunct at Bifröst University and is now an assistant professor leading important research initiatives and developments for the Creative Industries studies.
Catherine Stephens
Cath is a community musician, teacher, songwriter and performer, Cath writes songs, poetry and loves working with people to create new music. She has contributed to various releases including albums with Mushi Mushi and The Cornshed Sisters. Community work includes; choir director for Portolan with Cirque Bijou as part of The Tall Ships Festival, Choir Leader for Danny Boyle’s Pages of the Sea in Sunderland, Songwriting facilitator for Generator, Associate Choir Leader for National Theatre’s community piece The Odyssey and Cath enjoys her role as Head of Jazz, Pop & Contemporary Vocal Studies at Newcastle University. As part of the Building Bridges project, Cath is working towards a MbR exploring the principles, pedagogies and potential transferability of the MetamorPhonics model.
Sunna Guðlaugsdóttir
Sunna Guðlaugsdóttir is a musician, performer, and emerging cultural manager. She holds a bachelor’s degree in Rhythmic Music from The Royal Academy of Music (2021) and is currently completing her master’s thesis in Cultural Management at Bifröst University. As an active musician, Sunna has released music both as a solo artist and with her Nordic band Tsunnami. Alongside her artistic practice, she has worked as a research assistant at Bifröst University and as a workshop facilitator. Her passion lies in exploring creativity and understanding how artistic practices can foster connection, innovation, and cross-disciplinary dialogue.
Ásbjörg Jónsdóttir
Ásbjörg Jónsdóttir is a composer, teacher and researcher. She received her MA in composition from the IUA in 2018. In addition to her composition career, she conducts various music groups for children, teaches piano and takes on various musical projects. She was the artistic and executive director of Skálholt Summer Concerts from 2020-2022. In 2013 and 2018 Jónsdóttir undertook a research project on; the music of Þorkell Sigurbjörnsson and jazz in Iceland, funded by the Icelandic Student Innovation Fund. Jónsdóttir released a book with 12 of her own songs for children’s choir in April 2019.
