David Forrest

Professor David Forrest is a Professor of Music Education in the School of Art at RMIT University, Australia. He serves as HRD Coordinator and is actively involved in research supervision and academic leadership. His expertise spans music education policy, Russian/Soviet music pedagogy, and arts management, with a focus on the integration of music into educational curricula and community engagement initiatives.

Professional Affiliations include the Association of Music Educators (Victoria), Australian Society for Music Education, and International Society for Music Education. He has received notable awards such as the 2021 Vice-Chancellor’s Award for Research Supervision Excellence and the 2015 Honorary Life Membership from the Australian Society for Music Education.

Research interests center on music policy development, the legacy of composer Dmitri Kabalevsky, and the role of music in fostering intercultural understanding. His work emphasizes the importance of music for children and the symbiotic relationship between arts education and societal well-being.

Professor Forrest supervises PhD and Master’s research in diverse areas including music education, arts policy, and creative practices. He has mentored over 17 research projects, ranging from music’s role in memory to contemporary musician career dynamics.

He actively contributes to international academic discourse through editorial roles and peer-reviewed publications, advocating for the centrality of arts in education and policy frameworks.