About the Speaker
Dr Katrina McFerran is Professor of Music Therapy at the University of Melbourne in Australia. She is currently Co-Director of the National Creative Arts and Music Therapy Research Units, as well as Associate Dean in the Faculty of Fine Arts and Music, and Commissioner for the World Federation of Music Therapy Research and Ethics Committee. Dr Kat has been researching music, music therapy and adolescents for two decades and has conducted a number of studies that investigate music therapy programs and the ways that young people can use music to promote mental health and wellbeing. Her research and practices with young people often focuses on client perspectives as way of understanding how and why music therapists can be most helpful, as well as how young people can be supported to use music independently. Her work has been published in 80 refereed journal articles and three books, including ‘Adolescents, Music and Music Therapy’ (Jessica Kingsley Publishers, 2010) and ‘Creating Music Cultures in the Schools’ (with Daphne Rickson, published by Barcelona, 2016). She is also creator of the free, Massive Open Access Online Course, ‘How Music Can Change Your Life’ and has created a TedX talk on using music during dark times. She has two forthcoming books: An Oxford University Press Handbook on Music, Adolescents and Wellbeing (with Phillipa Derrington and Suvi Saarikallio), as well as ‘ A Guide to Designing Research Questions for Beginning Music Therapy Researchers’ with (Mike Silverman, published through US AMTA Press).
About the Presentation
In this presentation, Professor Katrina McFerran will highlight the current state of music therapy practice and research with young people around the globe. Drawing on a survey of global practice, as well as a review of the literature and a series of recent studies, Dr Kat will reflect on next steps for music therapists working with young people. This work is taking place in a range of contexts around the globe, including inpatient and outpatient mental health programs, in schools, hospitals and other community programs. Whilst there is no ‘one-size-fits-all’ model, some key ideas continue to emerge from different sectors in respect to preferred methods and benefits for young people. The presentation will include suggestions and reflections from Dr Kat’s work as a researcher, practitioner and lecturer.
