Mark Thursby

Mark Thursby is a Senior Lecturer in Popular Music at the University of Northampton, Faculty of Arts, Science and Technology, within the Department of Journalism, Media & Performance. He serves as Programme Leader for the BA (Hons) Music Production and manages Higher Education Partnerships for his faculty. He also contributes as a Researcher and Visiting Lecturer at dBs Music.

Education:

• Master of Philosophy, University of Nottingham (2004–2006)
• Certificate in Education, University of Northampton (2000–2002)
• BA (Hons) Music and Recording, University of Salford (1996–1999)

Mark's research spans analytic philosophy and philosophy of mind, focusing on consciousness and naturalistic approaches to self and qualia; psychology and evolutionary psychology, particularly cognitive bias and group behavior; critical theory in music, including postmodernism and Marxism; and electronic music composition, with interests in acousmatic, drum and bass, synthesis, and just intonation. His teaching emphasizes music production, sound design, and music theory in the digital age.

His recent research outputs include five compositions and one peer-reviewed article. The works reflect a strong interdisciplinary trend, combining technical music innovation with philosophical and psychological inquiry. Themes such as emotional barriers in learning, just intonation, and experimental sound design recur across his portfolio, indicating a cohesive exploration of perception, cognition, and sonic expression.

Scientific Awards:

• No awards listed.

Mark supervises students and contributes to curriculum design and external verification in higher education. He has over 20 years of experience in teaching and educational leadership. His grants and funding are not explicitly detailed, but his involvement in research activities, such as the 2024 public installation of sound mind, suggests ongoing project-based engagement.

He is associated with creative and research labs focused on sound, visuals, and conductive materials, as evidenced by his 2024 workshop on sound and visuals. His work bridges academic scholarship with artistic practice, particularly in sound design for theatre and electronic music composition.