Emily Howard

Emily Howard is a Professor in Composition and Head of Artistic Research at the Royal Northern College of Music (RNCM). She is a composer, curator, and founding director of PRiSM, the RNCM Centre for Practice & Research in Science & Music. Her works span orchestral pieces, operas, choral works, and multimedia installations, often blending mathematics, science, and technology with musical expression. Born in Liverpool, she graduated in mathematics and computer science from Oxford University before studying composition at the RNCM and the University of Manchester. Key works include The Anvil, Torus, and Antisphere, recognized for their innovative use of mathematical structures and social commentary.

Howard’s research focuses on interdisciplinary collaborations, particularly in music and mathematics. She has been funded by UKRI, AHRC, and the Leverhulme Trust. Awards include two BASCA British Composer Awards and an Honorary Fellowship from the Royal Academy of Arts. She supervises doctoral and postdoctoral researchers in composition and music technology, mentoring projects like Lucy Hale’s AHRC-funded work on disabled musicians.

Her works explore themes of social justice, human experience, and scientific inquiry. Recent projects include DEVIANCE (2023), a multimedia piece analyzing listener brainwaves, and Ombra (2022), addressing epilepsy. PRiSM, under her leadership, fosters AI-driven creativity and music-science intersections.