Blog

Documenting the PhD Journey

Madison Miller Nature Photography at Knapp Gallery

Two of my photographs will be on display at the Knapp Gallery Regent’s University London from 8th March until 10th May 2024. To book an appointment to view please read the flyer above. Can’t attend? My photos are accessible to view on my website https://lnkd.in/dW-5MK6 My nature photography is a critical part of my PhD research, as well…

The Zero Suicide Alliance Training Course

As a lecturer, the responsibility goes beyond imparting knowledge; it extends to ensuring the well-being of students, colleagues, and the community at large. One crucial aspect of mental health that may go undiscussed is suicide, or suicide prevention. Often, this topic is hard to put into words, and we might not know what the ‘right’…

Visiting Lecturer Profile Now Published

I am thrilled to be working with Regents University London, where my academic profile is now available to view! View my profile here: Madison Miller | Regent’s University London (regents.ac.uk) I am especially excited to utilize my skills in theory and practice to assist undergraduate and postgraduate students in elevating their critical thinking abilities in…

Mental Health Foundation’s Image Library: Nature Walk Contributions

In February 2024, the Mental Health Foundation will introduce the Mental Health Foundation Image Library, a collection of images depicting individuals tending to their mental well-being. I contributed photographs of mental health nature walks, a vital part of my PhD research exploring the effects of meditation walks on anxiety reduction and relaxation. Using a Canon…

Enhancing PhD Research in Nature Soundscapes with AI, Creativity and Exploration

In the realm of academia and research, the intersection of artificial intelligence (AI) and scientific exploration has opened up new dimensions for scholars across various disciplines. For those delving into the captivating realm of nature soundscapes, integrating AI into their research toolkit can lead to innovative insights and creative possibilities. In this blog post, I…

Urban Oases: Discovering Nature’s Secrets in London

Today was one of those days when the bustling metropolis of London seemed to fade into the background, and nature’s gentle presence took center stage. In the midst of towering skyscrapers and the constant hum of traffic, I embarked on a self-reflective journey to discover the small but beautiful fragments of nature that coexist harmoniously…

Finding Solace in Nature’s Healing Symphony: Navigating a Back Injury during My PhD Journey

This blog shares my experiences and milestones as I navigate the challenging yet rewarding path of earning my PhD. This journey isn’t just about documenting successes; it’s also about acknowledging setbacks. In early June 2023, I encountered a significant obstacle—a back injury. This unforeseen setback tested my resilience, impacting various aspects of my life, including…

Rediscovering Nature: A Healing Journey from a Herniated Disc

In life, unexpected events can abruptly change our course, leading us down paths we never anticipated. Such was the case for me when a herniated disc left me bedbound, unable to enjoy the simple pleasure of a walk in the park. However, through perseverance, pain management, and a deep connection with nature, I embarked on…

How Museum Visits Elevate Artists’ Creative Vision: A trip to the National Gallery

Museums have long been revered as treasure troves of artistic brilliance, housing the creations of renowned masters throughout history. A visit to a museum, like the National Gallery, can be a profound and transformative experience for artists and creative individuals. The vibrant colors, captivating brushstrokes, and carefully curated layouts found within the halls of these…

Enhancing Nature’s Harmony: Unveiling the Fusion of AI-Generated Photos and Soundscapes

I installed the Photoshop Beta which includes the selection tool AI generator. Below are some raw images from my Canon EOS camera paired with various AI generated images. In today’s fast-paced and digitally-driven world, finding moments of tranquility and connection with nature can be a challenge. However, with the advent of artificial intelligence (AI), we…

A Captivating Journey: In the company of majestic nature

Nature has an incredible ability to captivate us with its ever-changing beauty. Recently, I embarked on a tranquil stroll through Braywick Nature Centre, a haven nestled away from the bustling city. This immersive experience allowed me to witness the remarkable transformation of the natural world as the seasons shifted. As I wandered along the winding…

Creating a Relaxing Rain Nightscape

As someone who suffers from anxiety, I have always found it difficult to relax at night. My mind races, thinking of everything that could go wrong the next day, and I often end up tossing and turning for hours on end. However, in March 2023, I discovered a new way to help me unwind and…

Starting a New Podcast on a Budget: Tips for Using Free Software and Hosting on SoundCloud

Podcasting has become a popular form of content creation, allowing individuals to share their ideas, stories, and expertise with a wide audience. However, starting a podcast can seem daunting, especially if you’re on a tight budget. But fear not! With the right tools and resources, you can start a podcast on a budget and still…

The Magnificence of Connecting with Nature During a Walk in the Park

Taking a walk in the park is a great way to connect with nature. The hustle and bustle of daily life can easily get lost in today’s fast-paced world. Many of us rush from one task to another, hardly stopping to appreciate the world around us. A walk in the park can provide a welcome…

Using Self-Reflection in the Creative Process of Soundscape Design

Self-reflection is an essential component of any creative process, including the creation of nature soundscapes that promote relaxation. In this blog post, we will explore why self-reflection is important for this type of work and how it can help you create more effective and impactful soundscapes. Clarify your creative vision: Self-reflection allows you to better…

TEDx Talk: Madison Miller on Nature Soundscapes and Relaxation

In early October 2022, Madison took to the TEDx Wolverhampton stage to share her research in nature soundscapes and relaxation. Learn more about her work by watching the recording below: The video description: In this fascinating talk, Madison shares her research into the impact nature soundscapes can have on our well-being and how they can…

Using Mobile Phone Microphones to Record Nature Sounds

Nature has always been a source of inspiration for my soundscapes. From the soothing sound of a running stream to the chirping of birds, the natural world is full of sounds that can be used to create unique and beautiful compositions. And with today’s technology, it’s easier than ever to capture these sounds using nothing…

The Negative Impact of Construction Noise: jarring noise prevents relaxation

Nature sounds, such as the sound of birds singing or a stream flowing, are generally considered more pleasant than city sounds because they are associated with peacefulness, tranquility, and serenity. These sounds evoke feelings of calm and relaxation, and can help to reduce stress and anxiety. In contrast, city sounds, such as traffic noise and…

Walk in Nature: a field recording

This is a snippet of audio from a field recording walk on 19th Jan 2023. You will hear sounds of various birds, footsteps, wind, and mild human interaction (cars, trains).  My understanding of nature walks, through my personal experience, consists of being a recreational activity where I travel on foot through natural environments such as…

The Role of Nature Sounds & Images in Promoting Mindfulness (meditation)

Mindfulness and meditation are powerful tools for reducing stress and improving mental health, and incorporating nature sounds and images into your practice can enhance these benefits even further. Nature has a unique ability to provide a sense of calm and serenity, making it an ideal subject for mindfulness practices. Whether you’re listening to the sound…

Water Sounds in Nature: a relaxing effect

Water is a fundamental element of life, and the sounds it makes in nature have a unique ability to calm and soothe the mind. From the gentle babbling of a brook to the soothing crash of waves on the shore, water sounds can help us relax and unwind after a long day. In this post,…

Marketing Seminar – Teaching undergraduates at the University of Wolverhampton

Though my PhD focuses on music and photography, my professional background consists of media & communications experience with a range of knowledge collected over the past 10 years. With my areas of interest, I taught an in-person marketing lecture for University of Wolverhampton undergraduate students in the Faculty of Arts, Business, and Social Science (November…

Autumn 2022 Nature Photography

Autumn is a beautiful time of the year. I love the crisp, fresh air and the changing color of the leaves. I found myself out in nature most days this October 2022, fully immersing myself in mindful meditation walks and soaking up the sights and sounds of my environment. I think with the change of…

My experience as a TEDx speaker (TEDx Wolverhampton)

I found the opportunity to do TEDx Wolverhampton through a post on Twitter. Usually when I see an opportunity that I find interesting, I will do more research and make efforts to follow-up. I’ve found that I purposefully created an opportunity bubble on my Twitter account, where I only follow accounts relating to my academic…

‘Oceanscape’ & Sonic Self-Care

During July 2021 I visited Clearwater, Florida for a girl’s trip. As I was there, I got to soak up the tropical vibes and enjoy all the relaxation the beach and palm trees have to offer. The beach has always been a getaway for me. A way to decompress and become worry-free. It is the…

F Minor: A brief look on how nature field recordings can change the emotion of sound  

The emotional power of music stands as multidisciplinary research, which includes philosopher, psychologists, neuroscientists, and musicologists. From these theoretical and practice-based views, the relationship between emotion and music is explored, often showcasing music as a form of emotional communication (The Emotional Power of Music). According to psychologist Nico Frijda, emotion is a way for us…

Mentor Collective: Now offering support to USA student arts & humanities mentees

Once one door closes, another door opens. I recently resigned from the committee roles in the Royal Musical Association and Music and Mental Health Group and am thrilled to announce a new adventure! I am now a mentor with the Mentor Collective, offering mentorship sessions to USA undergraduate students focused on arts & humanities. I…

Free Download Goal Planner by Core Opulence

What is a goal planner? A goal planner is a great way to get your thoughts out of your head and on paper! With my anxiety, I stay up late thinking and over-thinking, but I have learned it is best to write my thoughts down. Rather than storing thoughts in my mind and constantly running…

Winner: ‘People’s Choice’ Doctoral Depictions Photo Competition 2022

The winners of the Doctoral Depictions Photo Competition 2022 were announced at Researchers’ Week Awards/Celebration Ceremony on Friday 24 June 2022. I am happy to say I won People’s Choice for 2022! I want to thank everyone for taking the time to vote for me and support me throughout the PhD journey. Photography is a…

Exploring Song Bowls and Sound

It is no secret on my blog that I started meditating in 2015 to combat my migraines and anxiety. With that, I entered a mental space where I wanted to try different meditation techniques to see which worked best for me. Sound became critical to my meditation practices. I migrated towards nature and ambient sounds,…

A Look into Binaural Beats: Aesthetics vs Function

(Submitted 18th May 2018, By Madison Miller – Bournemouth University, MA Media & Communications) Introduction Linguistic theories suggest humans have an innate need to communicate, which categorizes language as an instinctual characteristic (Pinker 2015). From this notion, some musicologists theorize music as a universal language, creating a synthesis between the human instinct to communicate and…

Nature Photography: Photo Competition

The University of Wolverhampton Researchers Week takes place 20th – 24th June 2022. I entered the photo competition to reflect my PhD work and would love your vote! Votes are open to the public and can be made here:  https://surveyhero.com/c/yn4c3gch Doctoral Depictions Photo Competition 2022 As part of Researcher’s Week and ARC2022, Doctoral Depictions is…

Winner: The Ayokunle Falana Award for Leadership 2022

About the Awards The Students Union Awards 2022 was hosted by the University of Wolverhampton Students Union 26th May 2022 at the Molineux. The 11th annual awards ceremony had 19 awards to be awarded. “This is the opportunity for students to show recognition and celebrate the achievements of University academic and non-academic staff, SU Staff…

Core Opulence Now on Eventbrite

We are thrilled to announce a new adventure. Core Opulence is now on Eventbrite, where online and in-person events will take place starting Summer 2022. Core Opulence Music is a PhD project inspired by Doctoral student Madison Miller. The purpose of the project is to explore music through soundscapes, field recordings, soundwalks, nature sounds, etc.…

Immersive Soundscape Exhibit May 2022

Join Madison Miller, PhD researcher in soundscapes, for an immersive soundscape experience 18th May 2022 at the University of Wolverhampton Walsall Performance Hub. Miller will present work which combines nature sounds and nature photography collected during her self meditation walks. This mixed media approach is part of her PhD research where she looks at how…

Constructing a Soundscape with Self-Meditation Walks

My History of Self-Meditation with Nature Walks When I lived in the USA, I was undiagnosed with General Anxiety Disorder, Social Anxiety, and C-PTSD. Leaving my mental health undiagnosed and untreated led to ordinary or day-to-day tasks, like going to work, extremely difficult. My life was impacted in various aspects including, lack of self-care, poor…

January 2022 Launch: Music and Mental Health Group

About the Music and Mental Health Group Launch The Music and Mental Health Group will launch at the 2022 BFE / RMA (British Forum for Ethnomusicology and the Royal Musical Association) Research Students’ Conference at the University of Plymouth. The website will also go live at this time, allowing for members to view content and…

Winner of SU Society of the Year (2020 & 2021): Building a Successful Doctoral Students Society

About the Doctoral Students Society The Doctoral Students Society (DSS) is a post graduate researcher society at the University of Wolverhampton. Established in December 2019 by three dedicated PGRs (committee list below), the society aims to bring doctoral students together for social events, networking, and sharing of ideas. The DSS welcomes anyone from full-time to…

What I’ve Learned after Organizing a Symposium

Earlier this year I was voted to be a Student Committee Member for the Royal Music Associations (RMA). With this role, the Student Committee (made up of 6 dedicated students) engage with the RMA student community and aim to bring students and research together: The RMA Student Committee liaises between the wider student body and…

Music & Mental Health Group Now on Twitter & Looking for Members

Music & Mental Health Group is a community of students, staff, independent scholars/musicians & recent graduates that advocate music & mental health in a hybrid way. #MMHGroup #MentalHealthMatters The aim is to spread mental health awareness through research, advocacy/action and creative solutions. We liaise with existing establishments whilst also gathering data and information to better…

Photography Competition Winner #wlvARC2021

The Annual Researcher Conference (ARC) at the University of Wolverhampton is hosted during Researchers’ Week each year. “Researchers’ Week aims to provide postgraduate researchers with the opportunity to develop their research skills and knowledge development, as well as their networks with other researchers and their community of practice” (Source: University of Wolverhampton). This year Researchers’…

Teaching my first Undergraduate Seminar

I am happy to say that on 6th May 2021 I taught my first undergraduate lecture for the School of Performing Arts at the University of Wolverhampton. Title: Rediscovering & reimagining spaces through soundscape design & multimedia  Description: Sounds are elements that make up the environments we interact with. With our perceptions, sounds are associated with…

Soundscape or Ambience? ‘Alternate Reality Cafe’

This piece was inspired by living in lockdown. Since lockdown started over a year ago, I had to transform my kitchen into a makeshift café to help get my coffee fix throughout the day. I wanted to create a different sense of ambience that we would usually hear in a typical café (like jazz or…

FindAPhD.com PhD Inspiration Series

I had the honor of speaking for FindAPhD.com’s (https://www.findaphd.com/) PhD Inspiration series. This series aims to share the wealth of knowledge fellow PGR’s have to help inspire those considering higher education. In this video I discuss my research in soundscapes and what it is like being a PhD student. To learn more, watch here:

Making of Heavy Rain + Piano Soundscape #CoreOpulence

The soundscape of my living environment changed over the course of the past few months, especially with the implementation of the third UK lockdown. Once busy streets and loud, popular pubs keeping me awake at night, are no more. Traffic is light and people are keeping to themselves. Though there is a change in sound…

By the River Thames: Soundscape of Bridge Gardens

I traveled to Maidenhead’s riverside Bridge Gardens with the goal of capturing sound field recordings and photographs of the river. Little did I know, I would stumble to find more than just geese! The Ada Lewis Memorial Fountain was placed in Bridge Gardens in 2010. Originally a drinking trough for horses in the 1908, the…

Abbey Ruins: Soundscape + Recording

This is a snippet of some sounds I recorded during the Abbey Ruins (Reading, UK) Christmas Light show in December 2020. Though the light and sound show at the Abbey Ruins was an immersive, in-person soundscape experience. I wanted to capture this moment and transform it to a virtual soundscape environment based off what I…

RMA Student Rep Elections: Vote for me!

*Update: Thank you to all who voted! I am now a student committee member and will serve a 2 year term. To learn more about the RMA please visit: https://www.rma.ac.uk/ Are you part of the Royal Music Association #RMA? The Student Rep elections are now open! I am running in this election and would love your…

Epping Forest Stop Motion + Vocal Soundscape

This is a quick upload of some of the art I am currently exploring for my PhD research in music/ soundscapes. What I have come to find is anything can really be a soundscape because noise is all around us! Whether we are listening to traffic, or having the radio on in the car, sound…

Changes to the Creative Process through Autoethnography, Auto-Ethnomethodology and Reflective Practice

An ethnomethodology is an examination of common cultural actions, beliefs, and behaviors that make sense of everyday life. This is done through researching communications of everyday people through speech and other interactions (Allen 2017). However, ‘auto’ differentiates this method by prefixing ‘self’ to ethnomethodology. Instead of focusing on the standard or perhaps alternative ways of…

World Suicide Prevention Day, 10th September 2020: My Story

Today is World Suicide Prevention Day and I wanted to share my story. I just turned 30. With this age comes a lot of funny stories and happy memories, but the dichotomy of life brings the painful reminders and scars too. Though I have experienced good moments, often these positive events are outweighed by the…

From Sound Art to Soundwalk: Narrowing my PhD Focus

Throughout this first year as a PhD student my work has undergone many changes in direction and exploration. Having a creative practice PhD allows for this type of shift and change, which is a benefit when trying to contextualize or make sense of the work I am creating. At first, my focus was on meditation…

Self Reflection and my Annual Progress Review (First Year as a PhD Student)

For my APR (Annual Progress Review), I have thought a lot about my work. Throughout this year, I noticed my tools, environment, and mental health have impacted my creative practice. Read more about these observations below: Music & Reflection Currently my materials are limited. I use my phone (galaxy s8) to do all recordings and…

ARC2020 Hosted by the University of Wolverhampton Photo Competition Winner

Thank you to those at the University of Wolverhampton and PGR’s who have voted for my photo for this year’s Doctoral Depictions Photo Competition. I am chuffed to have won first place and look forward to taking many more photos of my PhD journey. Here is my submission: Whilst collecting field recordings (to grow my…

Shower Thoughts Version 2, editing the sonic experience

After submitting and receiving feedback for Shower Thoughts v1 (Shower Thoughts in Self-Isolation: A Sonic Guided Journey) at the 21st Century Music Symposium, I was inspired to keep working with this idea and make changes based on the comments received. Not only that, but my opinions on the piece changed and I wanted to try…

Photography During Quarantine (Part II)

Whilst out collecting field recordings & building my sonic library, I take my camera and document what I see. The process: I walk to park areas and follow the government guidelines for social distancing. During the walk, I record noises and sounds that I find inspiring. At the same time, what I see inspires me…

Shower Thoughts in Self-Isolation: A Sonic Guided Journey

Guided meditation is a practice where the listener is guided through a sonic experience in order to achieve various results, usually in the form of finding peace or comfort. The instructor during these guided meditations may ask you to control your breathing, let go of unwanted thoughts, or focus on your visualization/ imagination, and may…

Exploring ‘Noise’ vs ‘Sound’ Using Recordings from Outside

Social distancing is crucial at this time, as it is now mandated during the pandemic. We can only leave the house for essentials, which includes one daily exercise. This week I put my fitbit and facemask on to take a nice, spring walk outside. During my walk, I recorded the birds chirping and cars driving…

Exploring Sonic Textures with Everyday Objects

Introduction to exploring sonic textures using everyday objects: After talking with my PhD advisors about my current research, we decided the next course of action would be to create some sonic textures to pair with what I have learned so far. After recording the sonic textures and compiling them together, I then compared the noise/sound…

Photography during Quarantine

Before self-isolating to help combat the spread of the Coronavirus, I took a walk into the woods. My equipment: Headphones Music Camera I saw the flowers blooming, ducks in the creek, and leaves making their way back onto tree branches. The sun was bright and the wind was soft, making for a pleasant and peaceful…

My first 6 months in a PhD program (UK)

It’s official. I have completed my first 6 months as a PhD student! What a journey it has been so far and plenty of lessons learned. Don’t get me wrong, normal day-to-day life still went on, but the PhD journey brings a splash of nuance that has transformed my world. Going through the process of…

Troubled Kids & Meditation in Schools

Children displaying bad behaviors in school seems to be be an ongoing crisis in school districts across the United States. Most recently I heard about Philadelphia school district teacher troubles, where 50% of test scores in math, science, and English, do not pass proficiency (NBC10). Bad behavior impacts the child’s ability to learn and concentrate,…

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