Jane Brackley

Jane Brackley is a PhD Researcher at Anglia Ruskin University’s Cambridge Institute for Music Therapy Research, affiliated with the Cambridge School of Creative Industries under the Faculty of Arts, Humanities, Education and Social Sciences. Her work focuses on music therapy’s role in supporting identity development among adolescents with adverse childhood experiences and trauma, particularly in alternative education settings.

Education:

• MA Music Therapy (Distinction), Anglia Ruskin University (2003)
• PGCE Secondary and Instrumental Music Teaching, Institute of Education, London
• BA (Hons) Music, Colchester Institute School of Music
• PG Cert Piano Accompaniment, Trinity College of Music, London

Research Interests: Jane explores trauma-informed therapeutic approaches, psychoanalytic theory, neuroscience, and music therapy practices to address identity formation challenges in traumatized adolescents. Her work bridges clinical practice with educational systems, emphasizing ‘healthy’ identity development.

Publications: Notable works include a 2020 book review on community music therapy in schools and a 2011 chapter on music therapy and anger expression in children at risk of exclusion. Her research contributes to refining therapeutic interventions for vulnerable youth.

Supervision & Collaborations: Supervised by Prof Jörg Fachner (1st), Dr Philip Kirkman (2nd), and Prof Helen Odell-Miller (3rd), her studies integrate clinical experience with academic rigor. She has collaborated with educational institutions to develop trauma-informed strategies.

Labs/Teams: Engaged with the Cambridge Institute for Music Therapy Research, focusing on interdisciplinary approaches to mental health and education.