Vanessa’s research takes a matricentric feminist approach to the exploration of the meanings of music for new mothers. She is interested in creative and participatory research methods and for her PhD project is using walking methodologies, collage-making and playlist-making. She is an RCM Studentship holder.

Prior to her doctoral studies, Vanessa gained a MA in Education (distinction) from the Centre for Research in Early Childhood, a PGCE from the UCL Institute of Education and BMus from Royal Holloway. Her MA research projects explored gender in three and four years olds’ musical play and, in her dissertation, how environmental systems influence young children’s participation in music sessions.

Vanessa currently works as an early years music teacher, producer and researcher for the charities Creative Futures and Sound Connections. She has worked as both a music and general teacher/practitioner in early years and primary settings in England and Spain for over 20 years.      

Throughout her research and practice Vanessa aims to counter deficit perspectives of children and families in musical contexts.

Vanessa is a trustee of MERYC England.