The sounds of impermanence:

Listening to music when living in temporary accommodation

Kate Wareham

I am a part-time PhD student with research interests are in the roles and functions of music in everyday life, for everyday people. When I am not doing my research, I am Chief Executive of the Choir with No Name.

Kate's Projects

Music is often an important component of the day-to-day lives of young people. But, when those young people are in challenging situations with heightened emotional demands and reduced access to private space, as is the case with thousands of young people living in temporary accommodation, are there any implications on music listening practices? What can these practices tell us about both the temporary living environment and about music listening in general. My research explores the music listening practices of young people in two such temporary environments - supported accommodation for homeless young people, and on a military base.

I am interested in how music listening is used in these environments. How do individuals use music to cope with their environment? How do people use music to create connections to others, or put up boundaries? What is the relationship between the music listening practices and the environment?

My research will be carried out in two contrasting temporary environments - supported accommodation for homeless young people and a military base amongst young people of the same age, undertaking training for a career in the military.

PhD Project

What does life on a military base, in prison, in hospital, in a hostel for the homeless or circling the world on a cruise ship, have in common? They are all forms of temporary living.

Whilst different in many ways they can be emotionally challenging, not least because they are away from friends and family. Many involve a loss of personal agency, whilst at the same time involving living in close proximity to others - blurring the boundaries between private and public space.

My project explores the relationship between music listening practices and temporary living environments.


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