LAURA Students

Xsara is a PhD researcher at the University of Salford, Manchester, supported by a Leverhulme Trust studentship within the Aural Diversity Research Doctoral Hub. Her transdisciplinary arts practice research explores aural diversity, neurodivergence, and creative methodologies.

Previously, she received a BAFTA Scholarship for her MA in Filmmaking (Screen Documentaries) at Goldsmiths, University of London, and studied Child and Adolescent Psychotherapeutic Counselling at the University of Cambridge.

As a neurodivergent, care-experienced, mixed-ethnicity artist, her work spans music, journalism, broadcasting, documentary film, social sciences, and psychotherapeutic counselling. She employs exploratory, subversive artistic methodologies to disrupt dominant knowledge-production frameworks, blending multiple paradigms as an artistic act.

Learn more about her research here: www.xsara.co.uk/academic

I hold a Bachelor of Arts (Hons) in Product Design, a Master’s degree in Popular Music Practice and a postgraduate Diploma in Acoustics and Noise control. My professional career has been marked by diverse roles, including CAD designer and CAD/CAM CNC programmer. In the last twenty years, I  was involved in various roles, from designing music equipment for classical orchestras to state-of-the-art music studios. As an acoustic engineer and a member of the Institute of Acoustics, my projects include the RNCM modular theatre, the Marshall Amplification control room, the RCM rehearsal rooms, and the SARM Studios recording rooms.

My PhD research, originated from my passion for music and a commitment to improving the lives of those affected by hearing impairments, is centered on the critical issue of hearing loss among music producers, a challenge faced by many in the industry. My work aims to develop innovative solutions, ensuring that audio engineers can continue to create and enjoy music despite the obstacles presented by their hearing health.

When I’m not immersed in my work, I enjoy playing the guitar and bass and composing cross genre music. Recently, I spent a year in Kenya. This experience reconnected me to the cultural importance of music and performance in communities across the world, a fact often ignored in the digital media platform age.

Addie’s PhD research is focused on aural diversity, sensory emotion regulation, and mental health. In particular, she is interested in the use of music to promote positive mental health, psychological wellbeing, and to improve the quality of life for people experiencing hearing loss. She has always loved music – whether playing an instrument in the school orchestra, attending gigs, or just adding to her ever-growing vinyl collection and digital playlists – and also has personal experience of hearing loss.

Addie has 15 years’ experience within the NHS across various mental health services. Following completion of her BSc in Forensic Psychology, Addie qualified as an Associate Psychological Practitioner and worked in several primary care networks (clusters of GP surgeries) across Lancashire and South Cumbria supporting people with their mental health and wellbeing. She also completed an MSc in Psychology and Learning Disabilities and her dissertation was around the experiences of autistic adults accessing mental health services. More recently, Addie has worked as a research assistant supporting clinical trials within an NHS trust’s research and development department – this experience provided her with a good foundation on which to build her own research.
Addie is dedicated to utilising her skills and knowledge to promote positive mental health, to support underserved communities, and to ensure that mental health services are accessible to everyone. Her work is deeply rooted in a commitment to creating meaningful change within the mental health landscape. She is passionate about advancing research focussing on improving mental health outcomes for underrepresented communities.