Dr George Musgrave, Senior Lecturer on the Music Business Management MA course, has been awarded a prestigious Fellowship of the Royal Society of Arts (RSA) for his contributions to music research.
The award recognises the contributions of exceptional individuals from across the world who have made significant contributions relating to the Arts, Manufacture and Commerce and to social change. The Royal Society of Arts was founded in 1754, and previous Fellows have included Charles Dickens, Adam Smith, Karl Marx and Stephen Hawking. Today, the RSA Fellowship is an international community of 30,000 social entrepreneurs, scientists, community leaders, commercial innovators, artists, journalists, architects, engineers and more who are distinguished by the title FRSA.
Dr Musgrave studies the psychological experiences and working conditions of creative careers, and he is currently researching mental health and wellbeing in the music industry. His co-authored study alongside Sally-Anne Gross, which revealed that musicians are three times more likely to experience anxiety or depression than the general public, was the largest known study into mental health in the music industry and led directly to the establishment of the first 24/7 mental health helpline for musicians called Music Minds Matter.
The research has also informed the work of organisations including NHS Wales and the Music Managers Forum, and was supported by music industry figures including Grant Hutchison of Frightened Rabbit and Shaun Ryder of the Happy Mondays. Today, this research continues to inspire the development of new mental health initiatives throughout the world including CURA and INSAART in France, Communion in Berlin and Upbeat GNV in America.
Talking about being recognised by the RSA, Dr George Musgrave said: “I am absolutely delighted to have been awarded this Fellowship. It means a great deal to have received recognition of this kind and to be part of a community of change makers. This last year has been challenging for so many in the UK and around the world, but in my own field we have seen the emotional challenges of working and trying to build a life in the creative industries. I look forward to continuing my research agenda as part of the Royal Society of Arts.”
Find out more about Music courses at the University of Westminster.
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