Paul Fernie

Paul Fernie is a Clinical Research Fellow and PhD Student at Anglia Ruskin University (ARU), affiliated with the Cambridge Institute for Music Therapy Research. He is part of the Faculty of Arts, Humanities, Education and Social Sciences and the Cambridge School of Creative Industries. Paul holds a BA in Music Production and Sound Engineering and an MA in Music Therapy. His research focuses on integrating music production technology into therapeutic practices, particularly for improving well-being in diverse populations, including young people and individuals with dementia or substance use disorders. He collaborates with institutions such as Universität Augsburg and explores music technology’s role in clinical education and smart technology tools for music therapy.

Paul’s research interests include the therapeutic applications of music production tools, sound timbre’s emotional impact, and music’s role in later-life well-being. He supervises MA Music Therapy students at ARU and teaches the course Principles of Music Therapy. His work bridges technology, education, and clinical practice, aiming to address gaps in music therapy’s understanding of technology integration. He is a HCPC Registered Music Therapist and member of the British Association of Music Therapists.

Recent collaborations include developing music therapy tools for smart technology (iOS/Android) with teams from Cambridge University and Roehampton University. His presentations at conferences like the World Congress of Music Therapy highlight his exploration of music technology’s impact on agitation reduction in dementia and substance misuse treatment.