Melanie West
PhD Student
A particularly meaningful moment for me was witnessing the 2024 solar eclipse while wearing special glasses. That experience reinforced my belief in the unifying potential of shared phenomena. I reflect on how, much like the collective focus during the eclipse, music has the power to draw people into a collaborative space where connection transcends barriers. This belief drives my work as I explore how music and technology can reimagine group learning and foster the collaborative skills needed to build a better, more connected world. I bridge disciplines to explore how music, sound, and technology can foster deeper connections and more equitable learning experiences. My research focuses on understanding how music and collaborative practices, such as drum circles, can inform the design of dignity-affirming educational spaces. I examine the unique forms of communication and connection that occur when people create rhythms together, investigating how these insights can inspire group learning environments where relationships and mutual engagement thrive. Drawing from critical theories, neuroscience, sociocultural theory, and maker education, I study how communities of practice—mutual engagement, shared repertoire, and joint enterprise—can be cultivated through creative, multimodal learning experiences. This perspective is shaped by my experiences as an MTS at Bell Laboratories, where I designed innovative multimedia prototypes to study human interaction, and as a Platinum-awarded recording engineer, where I learned firsthand the transformative power of making music together. At TIDAL Lab, I combine my expertise in sound design, multimedia applications, and education to explore how technology can inspire meaningful, collective learning experiences that prepare individuals and communities for the challenges ahead.
Contact
| Email: | melaniewest2025 at u.northwestern.edu |
| Web: | https://www.discogs.com/artist/379785-Melanie-West |
| CV: |