Stephen Wilford

Dr Stephen Wilford serves as Assistant Professor of Ethnomusicology, Popular Music, and Sound Studies at the University of Cambridge's Faculty of Music, and holds Fellow, Director of Studies, and Tutor positions at Wolfson College. His academic leadership extends to Treasurer of the British Forum for Ethnomusicology and committee roles with the Royal Anthropological Institute and Society for Ethnomusicology.

• University of Aberdeen (Undergraduate)
• Leeds Conservatoire (Musical Training)
• Goldsmiths, University of London (Graduate)
• City, University of London (AHRC-funded PhD)

Wilford's research interrogates musical and sonic cultures across Algeria-France historical and contemporary contexts, with focus on colonial soundscapes, Andalusi traditions, and Franco-Algerian hip hop. His work bridges ethnomusicology, sound studies, and postcolonial theory to examine cultural memory, diasporic identities, and sonic circulation in public/private spheres. Current projects include monograph completion on Algeria-France musical encounters and co-editing volumes with Liverpool University Press and the British Academy.

His publication portfolio demonstrates consistent output in Mediterranean sonic studies, with recent editorial work highlighting intimate research methodologies and cross-strait musical dialogues. Key thematic trends include decolonizing sound historiography and analyzing hip hop as postcolonial expression.

Professional engagements include:

• Treasurer, British Forum for Ethnomusicology
• Honorary Secretary, RAI Ethnomusicology-Ethnochoreology Committee
• Member, Society for Ethnomusicology Virtual Chapter
• Co-founder, DZArts research network

Wilford actively supervises PhD candidates while contributing to the ERC-funded 'Past and Present Musical Encounters Across the Strait of Gibraltar' project. His Wolfson College responsibilities include directing music studies and tutoring part-time students. Current collaborative initiatives focus on supporting Algerian arts scholarship through the DZArts network.