Richie Hawtin announces PhD scholarship in electronic music at University of Huddersfield
Applications are open now for studies in composition, analysis, DJ culture, and more
Richie Hawtin has announced a new PhD scholarship in electronic music at the University of Huddersfield.
Applications for The Richie Hawtin PhD Scholarship in Electronic Music, Cultures and Production are now open. Submissions are being taken until 10th February for a September 2023 start date. The successful candidate will be selected by tutors with guidance from Hawtin, who will also provide ongoing support once research begins.
Links between the British-Canadian DJ and producer and West Yorkshire university may not be commonly known, but their ties can be traced back around a decade. The artist first formed the subject of a thesis written by a postgraduate student at the institution, which then awarded Hawtin an honorary doctorate for his "outstanding contribution to the world of music technology" in 2015.
“There is huge scope for research within this PhD,” said Professor Rupert Till, Head of the Univeristy of Huddersfield's Department of Music and Design Arts, who has also been making electronic music under the moniker Professor Chill since 1989. “It could be anything within music such as electronic music, dance music, club music, DJ culture or even around composition or analysis.”
In a statement shared on social media, Hawtin wrote: “I’m honoured to continue my relationship with the University of Huddersfield and participate in their PhD Scholarship program. My hope is to offer my experience and insight into the many areas of techno culture which I’ve been involved in over the past 30 years. To assist in a student's exploration of the past and inner workings of our industry and help them offer new critical analysis from a contemporary perspective."
Back in 2017, a Senior Popular Music lecturer at the University of Manchester called for electronic music to be included in the UK national curriculum, 12 months after CDJs were officially recognised as an instrument for GCSE exam purposes. In 2020, DJing was formally added to the course options for some final year school pupils in the UK.
Full details of the PhD entry requirements and application process are available here.
