Sarah-Jane Gibson

Sarah-Jane Gibson is a Lecturer in the Department of Music at York St John University, affiliated with the School of the Arts. Her research focuses on ethnomusicology, community music practices, and the role of choral singing in identity formation. She has conducted fieldwork across multiple countries including South Africa, Sweden, and New Zealand, emphasizing inclusive music education and sustainable global music initiatives like the Ethno Research project. Her teaching integrates academic research with practical music-making, particularly in world music traditions and protest song contexts.

Her PhD explored Northern Irish community choirs’ role in re-imagining identities in conflict zones, using 'communities of practice' theory. She has performed as a professional soprano and choir conductor, blending artistic practice with academic inquiry. Current projects include leading the 'Sustainability' and 'Ethno on the Road' initiatives, and co-leading historical research on the Ethno movement's evolution. She has published widely on topics ranging from online music collaboration during the pandemic to South African folk music pedagogy.

Dr Gibson’s work bridges music performance, education, and social justice, with a focus on how participatory music practices can foster community cohesion and cultural understanding across divides.