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Professor Alan Williams is a Professor of Collaborative Composition at the University of Salford, based within the School of Arts, Media and Creative Technologies and affiliated with the Creative Technology Research Centre. With an academic background from the Universities of Edinburgh and Manchester and the Liszt Academy in Budapest, Williams has established himself as a significant figure in contemporary composition and collaborative arts practices.
Williams' research focuses on collaborative composition methods, participatory arts, and arts-based research, with particular interests in contemporary culture and Hungarian music traditions. His work bridges creative practice and academic inquiry, developing innovative methodologies like the 'Listening Composer' approach that emerged from his Healing Tales project with NHS workers documenting pandemic experiences. His research spans composition for various media including film, radio drama, electronic music production, and cross-cultural choral works.
Analysis of his recent publications reveals a strong emphasis on collaborative and participatory approaches across diverse contexts - from healthcare settings to electronic music studios. His work demonstrates consistent exploration of how music can serve as a medium for storytelling, community engagement, and documenting significant cultural moments like the COVID-19 pandemic.
Professor Williams has an extensive creative portfolio with compositions performed by prestigious ensembles including the BBC Philharmonic, BBC Singers, Philharmonia, MDR Radio Choir, and Psappha. His work has been broadcast internationally on BBC Radio 3, MDR (Germany), NEC (Brazil), and Bartók Rádió (Hungary), reflecting the global reach of his artistic contributions.
His notable creative projects include the 2016 BBC Radio 4 score for Val McDermid's adaptation of The Kraken Wakens, the 2017 'world's first Northern opera' collaboration with poet Ian McMillan, and the groundbreaking 2023 Healing Tales project that led to the development of his Listening Composer methodology. Williams continues to be highly productive, with numerous publications and creative outputs spanning 2023-2025 across formats including theses, data collections, digital artifacts, and presentations.
