Annual Conference 2026: Huddersfield UK

3rd Annual Conference of the Society for Music Production Research

Producing Music, Producing Knowledge: Practice, Technology, and Culture in Music

September 9-11, 2026 • University of Huddersfield, UK

The SMPR 2026 Conference brings together international researchers, practitioners, and industry professionals to explore the creative, technical, and cultural practices that shape how music is produced, experienced, and understood. Hosted at the University of Huddersfield, the conference provides a forum for critical, creative, and professional exchange across research, practice, and pedagogy.

Rates

Early-bird rates apply until July 24th. Registration includes daily refreshments, lunch, and the conference dinner.

Early bird rates
Student: £99
Independent / Self-funded: £198
Standard: £297

Normal Rates
Student: £125
Independent / Self-funded: £245
Standard: £370

Speakers and guests

Academic Keynote: Professor Jan Herbst.
Industry Keynote: Fiona Cruickshank (engineer, producer, and score editor). A three-time Music Producers Guild Award winner; credits include Jacob Collier’s Djesse Vol. 2, Coldplay’s Everyday Life, Alicia Keys, Andrea Bocelli, Paul Weller’s On Sunset and Fat Pop, The National, and The Last Dinner Party’s From The Pyre.
Mastering Workshop: Cicely Balston. Credits include David Bowie, Ludovico Einaudi, Witch Fever, and Charlotte Plank.
Spatial Audio Workshop: Hans Martin Buff (winner of Best Immersive Audio Album at the 2025 GRAMMYs for Peter Gabriel’s i/o) and Professor Hyunkook Lee (founder of the Applied Psychoacoustics Laboratory).
Panel Discussion (Music Production and AI): Featuring producer and songwriter Joe Kearns, whose credits include Ellie Goulding’s Brightest Blue, Zara Larsson, Lauv, and Griff. Joe began his career as an engineer at Mark Knopfler's British Grove Studios. Additional panellists to be announced.

Accommodation

Nearby hotels include:

Maps

Conference Committee