Peter Harrison

Peter Harrison is Assistant Professor in Music & Science at the University of Cambridge Faculty of Music, where he directs the Centre for Music and Science and serves as Director of Undergraduate Studies. His research develops computational models of music perception using behavioral experiments and data science approaches.

Research investigates music cognition, empirical performance studies, individual differences in musical processing, and computational analysis of musical structure. Current projects examine cultural evolution of music, rhythm perception across societies, and computational models of harmony. Developed open-source tools like psychTestR for behavioral experiments.

Teaching includes undergraduate and MPhil courses in Music & Science, covering foundations of acoustics, timbre perception, cross-cultural music cognition, and scientific methodology. Supervises PhD students researching jazz improvisation, cultural transmission, and emotional responses to music.