British Forum for Ethnomusicology

Welcome from Byron Dueck, Chair of the BFE

The British Forum for Ethnomusicology (BFE) aims to advance the study of musical life in its full richness and diversity. We provide a forum for engaging in debate and sharing the findings of research through our many conferences and study days and through the publication of our journal Ethnomusicology Forum, in association with Routledge. We offer awards to recognise outstanding scholarship, including the BFE Book Prize and grants and prizes for student members.

If you would like to keep in touch with BFE news, activities and events please join our email list and follow our social media site. Membership is open to anyone interested in the study of music and dance from all parts of the world. If you are interested in becoming a BFE member please click here for information about the benefits of membership. Thanks for visiting our website and please contact us if you would like to know more.

Latest Announcements

BFE Annual Conference 2025 - registration now open

Registration is now open for the British Forum for Ethnomusicology annual conference, to be held 3-6 April 2025 at University of Cambridge (Faculty of Music and St John's College).

Statement on proposed closure of Cardiff University School of Music

Cardiff University has announced the start of a consultation whose proposals, if realised, would entail the closure of the School of Music by the end of 2030. With 234 students, Cardiff is the largest university school of music in Wales and one of the largest in the UK.

BFE Fieldwork Grants Scheme 2025 - competition now open

The British Forum for Ethnomusicology (BFE) is pleased to announce the opening of the 2025 Fieldwork Grants scheme. BFE Fieldwork Grants support doctoral candidates conducting ethnomusicological field research in the UK and abroad by contributing towards costs (e.g., for travel and subsistence).

BFE member Matthew Machin-Autenrieth wins prestigious SEM book prize

Huge congratulations to BFE member and former Committee member Dr Matthew Machin-Autenreith, who has been awarded the prestigious prize by Society for Ethnomusicology for the co-edited book Music and the Making of Portugal and Spain: Nationalism and Identity Politics in the Iberian Peninsula.

2024 BFE Autumn Conference (online) - registration now open

We are delighted to announce that registration is now open for the 2024 British Forum for Ethnomusicology Autumn Conference which will be hosted online by the University of Southampton.