Catherine Strong

Associate Professor Catherine Strong is a sociologist specializing in popular music studies at RMIT University's School of Media & Communication. Her research examines gender inequalities in music, working conditions in the music industry, and popular music as cultural heritage. She actively collaborates with industry partners and supervises research on topics like post-pandemic music careers and climate impacts on festivals.

Her work spans cultural policy analysis, music industry labor studies, and the intersection of music with climate change. Key research themes include: gender equity in music performance/production roles, music venue preservation, and the evolving role of digital platforms like TikTok in music creation.

Recent scholarship highlights include analyzing extreme weather's impact on music fan experiences and advocating for creative justice through basic income policies. She has supervised projects on DIY music scenes' sustainability, punk subcultures, and the cultural significance of Melbourne's music venues.