Stephen Dance

Stephen Dance is a Professor at London South Bank University's Civil and Building Services Engineering department, specializing in environmental and architectural acoustics. He serves as an acoustic advisor to the Royal Opera House and chairs multiple committees at the Institute of Acoustics, including the Research Coordination Committee and the Musical Acoustics Committee. His research focuses on noise exposure assessment, architectural design optimization, and sustainable urban acoustic solutions. He has pioneered projects such as the Quiet Project (analyzing lockdown environmental noise) and collaborated with institutions like Foster + Partners on urban acoustics initiatives.

• Education: Taught at the Institute of Sound and Vibration and Royal Academy of Music.
• Leadership: UOA13 Lead and former Course Director for the MSc in Environmental and Architectural Acoustics (2003–2019).
• Expertise: Classroom acoustics, urban wind turbines, and metamaterials for sound control.

Research interests span architectural acoustics (e.g., optimizing orchestra pits and concert halls) and environmental noise mitigation (e.g., assessing heliport emissions). He has developed mathematical models for sound prediction and led projects with government bodies like the Ministry of Housing. His work aligns with UN SDG 9 (Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure) and SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities).

Recent articles highlight advancements in acoustic metadiffusers, AI-driven acoustic analysis, and pandemic-era noise trends. His applied research bridges theoretical acoustics with real-world applications in education, music, and urban planning.

Supervised 4 research projects and advises on acoustic equipment like the 3m shielded anechoic RF test chamber. Future projects include extending the Quiet Project and refining hearing conservation strategies for musicians.