About
Dr Peter Batchelor is a Senior Lecturer in Music and Music Technology at De Montfort University, affiliated with the Leicester Media School and the Music, Technology and Innovation – Institute of Sonic Creativity (MTI²). He serves as Programme Leader for the BA Music Technology programme and is actively involved in research, teaching, and creative practice.
Education:
- BMus, University of Wales, Bangor (1996)
- MPhil, University of Wales, Bangor (1997)
- PhD, University of Birmingham (2004)
- FHEA (2024)
His research and creative work focuses on electroacoustic composition, multichannel sound installations, public art, and aural landscape construction. He explores sound spatialisation, immersion, theories of space and place, and audience engagement through large-scale sonic artworks. His practice integrates technical innovation with artistic inquiry, often using custom Max/MSP tools for spatial audio and generative systems.
The 15 most recent publications reflect a consistent trajectory in immersive sound art, emphasizing environmental sonification, spatial perception, and public engagement. Key themes include multichannel deployment (up to 288 channels), interactive and solar-powered installations, and blending natural and synthetic soundscapes. Projects like Dendrophone and Contraption highlight his focus on accessibility, sustainability, and audience interaction in sonic environments.
Scientific Awards and Recognitions:
- Finalist, Sounds Electric ’07 Competition
- Mention, Concours de Musique Electroacoustique de Bourges (2007, 1998, 1997)
- 2nd Prize, CIMESP'99, São Paulo
- Honourable Mention, CIMESP'97, São Paulo
- Prize, 'Residences' category, Bourges 1997
Peter Batchelor supervises several PhD students including Stefano Catena, Cristiana Palandri, and Michael Uwins. He has secured external funding as Co-Investigator on projects such as Interfaces (EU Culture Project, 2016–2019) and Sensing the Forest (AHRC Early Career Research Grant, 2023–2025). He has delivered keynote and invited talks internationally and serves as a reviewer for Organised Sound and for REF panels. His creative installations have been exhibited globally, from Helsinki to São Paulo, and he develops open-source Max/MSP tools like N-CHAN and CLATTER to support multichannel sound design.
He leads the Dendrophone project, a solar-powered, DIY sound installation in Alice Holt Forest that sonifies environmental data (humidity, sunlight, CO2), offering both on-site and live-streamed access. This project exemplifies his commitment to public engagement, ecological awareness, and accessible sonic art.
