New Books in Sound Studies Creators & Guests

Host and producer of Phantom Power, author of Hush: Media and Sonic Self-Control.

Dr. Miranda Melcher earned her PhD in Defence Studies from King’s College London, where she researched how to negotiate and implement peace treaties. Her research identifies methods for integrating opposing forces into unified post-conflict security institutions through peace treaty negotiation and implementation, with her qualitative historical case studies focusing on Mozambique and Angola. She is currently a Senior Legal Fellow at Just Access.

Julie Beth Napolin is an Assistant Professor of Digital Humanities at The New School.

Hildegard Westerkamp is a Canadian composer, radio artist, teacher, and sound ecologist, recognized for her pioneering work in acoustic ecology, soundscape composition, and soundwalks. A key contributor to the World Soundscape Project in the 1970s and 1980s, she has explored the relationship between sound, environment, and human perception. Her compositions often incorporate field recordings, spoken word, and electroacoustic techniques to highlight the sonic characteristics of specific places. Westerkamp has also been influential in promoting sound awareness and deep listening practices, lecturing internationally and mentoring new generations of sound artists and ecologists.

Rebecca Charbonneau is the author of the book: "Mixed Signals: Alien Communication Across the Iron Curtain" (Polity, 2024).

Ziad Fahmy is an associate professor of Modern Middle East History at Cornell University, writer, and author of the book Street Sounds: Listening to Everyday Life in Modern Egypt.

Maya Cunningham is an ethnomusicologist, Africanist, and African Americanist scholar specializing in Black music, cultural identity, and the African diaspora. As a cultural activist and jazz vocalist, she explores the intersections of music, history, and identity, advocating for the preservation and celebration of African and African American musical traditions. She has conducted extensive research on African heritage in Black American music, contributing to academic discourse through publications, lectures, and community engagement. Cunningham’s work bridges scholarship and practice, emphasizing the role of music in cultural resilience and social justice. Her contributions span academia, performance, and cultural advocacy.

Judith Lochhead is a music theorist and Professor of Music History & Theory at Stony Brook University.

Ian Coss is a musician and radio producer. He is currently pursuing his PhD in Ethnomusicology at Boston University and producing audio for radio, podcasts and museums.