University of Reading cookie policy

We use cookies on reading.ac.uk to improve your experience, monitor site performance and tailor content to you

Read our cookie policy to find out how to manage your cookie settings

Mark Aitchison

Mark Aitchison profile picture
  • Subject Leader in Secondary Music ITT
  • Programme Director of PGCE (Reflective Practice) and iPGCE
  • MA research supervisor
  • Module leader on BA Ed Music Specialism
  • Module Leader – Development of Transferable Skills through a School Placement (STEAM)

Areas of interest

Expertise and Research Interest

  • How adolescents develop a musician identity
  • Pedagogical approaches to music education
  • Assessment in music
  • Use of technology for inclusivity in the classroom
  • The use of AI in the Performing Arts Curriculum

Postgraduate supervision

Masters Level Supervision offered in these areas

  • Learner and Teacher identity
  • Pedagogical approaches

Research projects

Current and Recent Research Projects

  • Exploration of the experience of students in KS3 Curriculum Music in England (Doctoral study research)
  • How music teachers have used the experience of the Pandemic to innovate in the classroom
  • Exploration of how students develop a musician identity through curriculum Music
     

Background

Mark Aitchison currently works as a Lecturer for Music Education at UoR alongside being a classroom teacher in a High School in the West Midlands. He has taught music for over 25 years across the Primary, Secondary and Music Hub sectors.

Academic qualifications

  • University of Reading, MA (Music Pathway), 2021
  • Trinity College London, ATCL, 2012
  • University of Wales, Institute Cardiff PGCE, 2000
  • University of Wales, College Cardiff BMus, 1999

Awards and honours

  • Fellow of the Higher Education Academy, 08/2023

Selected publications

Podcasts

  • Music First - Teaching with Technology, S4, E16
  • Music Teacher’s Association Podcast
  1. Sharing good practice – EuDaMus25 E116
  2. Planning the curriculum for a new academic year E81
  3. Long term changes to classroom practice following the pandemic E74

Conference Panels

  • 11/2023 Panel Member, The Dynamic Classroom, MusicMark Conference, Southampton
  • 05/2023 Chair for panel discussion, Individual vs Group instrumental tuition, Music Teacher’s Association Conference, Loughborough
  • 02/2019 Music in Schools Conference, Encore Enterprises, Hereford

Conference Presentations

  • Aitchison, M (2024). Transforming traditional pedagogies by using Popular Music to teaching musicianship in the High School. European Association for Music in Schools Conference, TU Dublin Conservatoire, 12-15 June 
  • Aitchison, M (2023). Positive outcomes from the Pandemic and Music Technology and Composing Workshop, European Association for Music in Schools Conference, Lyon University, 24-27 May
  • Aitchison, M (2022). Building Musician Identity in Y8 students in England. European Association for Music in Schools Conference, Belgrade University, 18-21 May

Publications

  • Aitchison, M. (2024). A study into musician identity in Year 8 Students in England. In Isolde Malmberg & M. Petrovic (Eds.), European Perspectives on Music Education: Music and Meaning (pp. 93-110). Helberg.

Publications

Loading your publications ...