I'm a musicologist whose work combines sociological, anthropological and historical perspectives to investigate what musical communication in the broadest sense can tells us about human social life. My research spans a broad range of topics from work on post-war serial and experimental music to the historical anthropology of music in Britain (especially Scotland), the social functions of songs and singing, and music and law, especially human rights.

Currently, my main focus is the musicology of war and violence. I'm particularly interested in how music is used to facilitate collective and political violence, and especially in the uses of music by combatants, perpetrators, and martial/military organisations. I've also conducted extensive research on the uses of music in torture and punishment.