Bio
Margaret Barrett is Professor and Head of the School of Music at the University of Queensland.
Professor Barrett’s research projects encompass the investigation of the role of Music and the Arts in human cognition and social and cultural development. Her research has addressed problems in the areas of aesthetic decision-making, the meaning and value of Arts engagement for young people, young children’s musical thinking, young children’s identity work in and through music, teaching and learning practices in the arts, and the pedagogy and practice of creativity. A key aspect of her work has been the development of innovative arts-based inquiry methods in music and music education.
She has held positions as editor of Research Studies in Music Education, an Associate Editor of Psychology of Music, and a member of the Editorial Boards of key journals in music and arts education.
Professor Barrett has served as President of the International Society for Music Education (2012 – 2014), Chair of the World Alliance for Arts Education (2013 – 2014), Chair of the Asia–Pacific Symposium for Music Education Research (2009 – 2011), an elected member of the Board of the International Society for Music Education (2008 – 2010), and National President of the Australian Society for Music Education (1999 – 2001). Professor Barrett was the music discipline writer for the Shape Paper for the Australian Curriculum – The Arts and continues to provide advice to the curriculum process. She has been an advisor for arts and educational bodies nationally and internationally including the Australia Council for the Arts and the Qualifications and Curriculum Authority, UK.