Creative Synergies: Research at the Music–Science Interface

Music's relationship with the sciences stretches back to ancient times. Medieval scholars placed it alongside arithmetic, geometry, and astronomy in the quadrivium, the four disciplines thought to reveal the mathematical order of the universe. The music of the spheres was more than a metaphor, and reflected a conception of science that embraced and integrated artistic thinking. Centuries later, that conversation has only deepened, extending across physical and natural sciences, engineering, neuroscience, technology and psychology in ways that continue to surprise and transform both fields. In this seminar, UQ School of Music researchers and their UQ sciences collaborators will showcase three innovative interdisciplinary projects that bring these connections to life. Music, Maths and Symmetry explores the mathematical structures underlying composition; Music and Psychology investigates how music shapes mental health and cognition; and Music and Astrophysics charts unexpected resonances between sound and the cosmos. Together, these three projects illustrate how interdisciplinary research drives innovation across disciplinary boundaries, holds real potential to improve health and wellbeing outcomes, increases research impact and public engagement, and strengthens cultural relevance and social responsibility.