Shirley Joy Thompson

Shirley Joy Thompson is a Professor of Music at the University of Westminster and an award-winning composer and cultural activist. She was honored with an OBE in 2019 and an Honorary Fellowship from Goldsmiths in 2022. Her work emphasizes music's transformative role in social, cultural, and political change.

Notable achievements include composing and conducting New Nation Rising: A 21st Century London Symphony, a landmark work blending orchestral elements with rap and dhol drumming, performed by over 200 artists. This piece celebrates London’s millennium history and showcases her innovative fusion of classical and contemporary genres.

• Awards: OBE (2019), Goldsmiths Honorary Fellowship (2022)

Thompson’s research and artistic practice intersect music composition with themes of identity, activism, and historical narrative. Though no specific grants or labs are detailed in the text, her work is internationally recognized for its interdisciplinary and socially engaged approach.