The Nature of Music: NaMu 2025

Call for paper

Music is fundamental to human experience. It shapes our cultures, expresses our emotions, and forges our identities. Yet, understanding the “why” behind this profound human trait requires a collaborative approach, drawing on diverse academic disciplines. This conference, organized by students for students, aims to explore the inter- and transdisciplinary nature of music research.

We invite students of all levels (Bachelor’s to PhD) to contribute to a vibrant dialogue on “The Nature of Music – Inter- and Transdisciplinary Approaches to a Human Universal.”

Conference Focus:

Musicology is increasingly enriched by perspectives from biomusicology, sound studies, music psychology, neuromusicology, semiotics, philosophy, and beyond. This conference provides a platform to:

• Allow students to meet and discuss their research on fundamental aspects of music – Inviting contributions from a broad range of perspectives (see below)
• Explore the position of musicology within this interdisciplinary landscape.
• Critically reflect the benefits and challenges of cross-disciplinary research.
• Showcase current student research that bridges disciplines.

We encourage submissions from the following fields and/or perspectives:

• Music perception, cognition, and psychology
• Music and culture, semiotics, and philosophy
• Cognitive and behavioral biology
• Music modeling and acoustics
• Comparative behavioral research and biomusicology
• Music theory and analysis
• Music sociology and education
• Music technology

Contribution Formats:

• Talk: 15 min presentation + 5 min discussion
• Short Presentation: 5 min presentation + short discussion
• Poster: Poster presentation during dedicated sessions
• Peer Reviewer: Participate in the double-blind peer review process
• Conference Report Writer: Contribute to a collaborative conference report for publication

Submissions in English or German are welcome.

Vienna: A Hub for Interdisciplinary Music Research:

Vienna, with its rich musical heritage and vibrant academic community, provides the perfect backdrop for this conference. Home to institutions like the University of Vienna, the Austrian Academy of Sciences, the Central European University, and the University of Music and Performing Arts Vienna, the city fosters a diverse and collaborative research environment. The conference will be held at the prestigious Austrian Academy of Sciences, offering a historic and accessible venue.

Our Goals:

• Promote interdisciplinary dialogue and collaboration.
• Maintain high academic standards through student-led peer review.
• Support and showcase emerging researchers.
• Facilitate networking and community building.
• Promote equality in academic settings.
• Promote sustainable conference practices.

The conference will feature:

• Keynote lectures by internationally renowned researchers.
• Workshops and discussions on relevant topics.
• A diverse social program, including laboratory visits, concerts, and city tours.

For inquiries, please contact us at: [email protected] 

We encourage you to share this call for papers with your networks and relevant organizations.

Join us in Vienna to explore the multifaceted nature of music!