PRR Project

Summary

The prospective employee will be responsible for leading projects undertaking research on music teaching and learning, contributing towards the development of methodologies that can address current societal and cultural challenges affecting that area. The activities will be framed by the research group “Education, Music and Theatre in the Community” of the research unit Inet-MD. This group, at Inet-MD’s University of Aveiro branch, presently integrates 3 non-tenured researchers, 1 full-time teacher and 1 part-time teacher, as well as several PhD candidates. Notwithstanding its small scale, it has ensured a significant impact through its international publications, projects and activities. The activities of prospective researcher will encompass four main research and project-leading perspectives, separately or in combination, which include:- Curriculum development and pedagogical strategies: designing and evaluating music education curricula, including learning objectives and the selection of appropriate musical materials, based on inquiry-based learning, artistic research methods and/or technology integration, ensuring inclusion as regards cultural diversity and equity in music education, and engaging diverse student populations as well as community settings.- Assessment and evaluation: developing and validating assessment tools to measure musical skills and knowledge, assessing student outcomes, and evaluating the effectiveness of current music education programs and interventions, at national and international levels.- Technology in music teaching and learning: investigating the use of technology in music teaching and learning, including the evaluation of the effectiveness of digital tools, software, and online resources for the enhancement of musical performance, aural training, and instrumental instruction and learning.- Music psychology and cognition: researching the cognitive, emotional, and social aspects of musical performance teaching and learning, and associated issues as regards musical development and expertise.These tasks highlight complementary areas of inquiry within music teaching and learning research, which will support innovative and multifaceted paths of inquiry. Thus, the key responsibilities of the prospective researcher will include:1) developing and submitting national and international medium- and large-scale project applications, on topics associated with music teaching and learning2) identifying relevant issues on curriculum development and music learning assessment, technology in music education, and/or music education and cognition, promoting a multifaceted approach to research on learning skills and the development of teaching resources3) assessment of current music teaching practices as regards inclusiveness and pedagogical innovation, in national and international contexts4) developing and disseminating technologic tools for implementation in formal and informal music learning contexts5) promoting interdisciplinary approaches to music teaching and learning, in combination with the research of associated cognitive and social perspectives.Past and current research at Inet-MD has addressed subareas such as music learning and self-regulation, prevalence and coping strategies as regards music performance anxiety, sound-based music and technology, instrumental pedagogy and didactics, and has gained the attention of the research community through publications in high-profile international journals and publishers. Nevertheless, it has relied mostly on the contribution of researchers with temporary contracts; this situation needs to be reversed to maintain the current impact of these lines of research at Inet-MD and at the University of Aveiro. Candidates should evidence:- a significant record of national and international scientific publications in the area of music teaching and learning;- prior experience in the development and implementation of research collaborations in formal, informal, academic and higher-education contexts;- documented participation in national and international research projects;- proven collaborative experience with national and international researchers within a wide range of music teaching and learning topics;- experience in supervising masters’ and PhD students;- design and organization of activities for science communication and engagement of diverse audiences, including non-specialist and diverse stakeholders.