Dear colleagues,
With apologies for cross-posting, we are delighted to invite you to attend Music, Mental Health, and Human Flourishing, a joint symposium hosted by the University of York's Centre for Music Education and Human Flourishing (CeMEHF) and the Institute for Mental Health Research in York (IMRY)
The symposium will take place on Friday 26 June 2026 (11:00–15:00 BST) at the Ron Cooke Hub, University of York, and will be available in a hybrid format (in-person and online). The event brings together three internationally recognised scholars:
Professor Kira Vibe Jespersen (Aarhus University, Denmark)
Professor Liesl van der Merwe (North-West University, South Africa)
Professor Kelly Jakubowski (Durham University, UK)
The symposium is free to attend. It will explore how music can support mental health, wellbeing, and social connection across diverse contexts and stages of life.
Programme
10:30–11:00 – In-person arrivals and refreshments
11:00–11:45 – Talk: Professor Kira Vibe Jespersen
11:45–12:30 – Talk: Professor Liesl van der Merwe
12:30–13:15 – Lunch (provided for in-person attendees)
13:15–14:00 – Talk: Professor Kelly Jakubowski
14:00–15:00 – Roundtable discussion with all guest speakers and audience contributions
The event is open to researchers, practitioners, students, and anyone with an interest in music, mental health, wellbeing, and human flourishing.
Registration (free): https://tftv.ticketsolve.com/ticketbooth/shows/873687739
We would be very grateful if you could share this invitation with colleagues, students, and relevant networks!
With best wishes,Andrea, Caroline, and Pete
