Ian Dickson

Ian Dickson is an Assistant Professor (Teaching) in the Department of Music at Durham University. He holds a PhD in composition from the University of York and a PhD in musicology from the University of Cambridge, with additional studies at King's College London and composition courses directed by Louis Andriessen and Brian Ferneyhough.

His research focuses on twentieth-century and contemporary music, particularly modernist aesthetics, Giacinto Scelsi's works, and intersections of music with language, semiotics, and metaphor. Dickson explores musical grammars and analytical approaches to avant-garde compositions.

His publications demonstrate expertise in analyzing Scelsi's compositional techniques, including examination of small ensemble works, grammatical structures in late compositions, and rhetorical aspects of musical orality. Dickson's research contributes to both musicological theory and analytical methodologies.

Current advisees include Darach Sharkey and Mike Mitchell. His music has been performed by ensembles including the BBC Philharmonic Orchestra and Moscow Contemporary Music Ensemble.