Information about MusicLab

MusicLab is an innovation project by RITMO and the University Library. The aim is to explore new methods for conducting research, research communication, and education. The project is organized around a concert in a public venue, which is also the object of study. The events also contain an edutainment element through panel discussions with world-leading researchers and artists and "data jockeying" in the form of live data analysis of recorded data.

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Photos from various MusicLab events.

Purpose of MusicLab

There are three aims of MusicLab:

  • Research: The fundamental question we ask is: How do people engage with music? And more particularly: what is the role of the body in music performance and perception? During a MusicLab session, we measure such bodily responses using different types of technologies. This includes the way the body moves and physiological responses (breathing, pulse, and so on).

  • Dissemination: Another essential aspect of MusicLab is exploring new ways of spreading information about how research is performed and conducted. For most people, research is something that happens behind closed doors at a university. We want to research in the "field," tell about the process, and show what we find. 

  • Innovation: Finally, we want to use MusicLab as a testbed for Open Research. This is a radically new way of thinking about the research process itself. Rather than keeping the entire research process closed, we want to invite everyone to help us collect data. We also want to share the data with the public and show how it can be analyzed. 

We organize 2-3 MusicLab events per year. In between the events, we analyze the data and prepare lectures and publications on the results. Since all the data and tools from MusicLab are openly available, everyone can help out. We hope to inspire other people to use the data for whatever purpose they may find helpful.

MusicLab's 4 pillars

A MusicLab event is built around a concert and typically contains a workshop, panel discussion, data collection, and data jockeying. Together, these components secure the mix of art and science and research and edutainment.

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MusicLab as an Innovation Project

In addition to all of the above, we also see MusicLab as an innovation project in which we develop - or help to create - new methods, tools, strategies, and policies. This includes developing the concept itself, which now also inspires many others. It includes problem-solving, such as finding solutions to handling privacy and copyright issues. We help create new solutions for publishing all the material we generate, which ultimately also leads to helping with developing new infrastructure solutions locally, nationally, and internationally.

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Who is responsible for MusicLab? 

MusicLab is organized jointly by RITMO Centre for Interdisciplinary Studies in Rhythm, Time and Motion and the University Library of the University of Oslo. The events are organized in different venues around Oslo. 

Will I be recorded if I come to a MusicLab event?

One of the core aims of MusicLab is to study human interaction in a musical context. For that reason, we video record all events, including overview shots of the audience. So it is highly likely that you will be visible in one of the video recordings if you participate. That said, we do not shoot close-ups of the audience, and we do not collect any personal information or names of people present.

Can I volunteer to be a subject?

In addition to video-based analysis, we typically also equip a limited number of audience members with some sensor system, such as motion sensors, breathing, heart rate, etc. Here the aim is to look more in detail at various physical and physiological responses to music. We are also exploring the MusicLab app to collect motion information and survey responses from larger audience groups.

How we will store and use your data 

We will only use your personal data for the purpose(s) specified and following the General Data Protection Regulation and Personal Data Act (GDPR). 

  • Only people in the project group will have access to the raw data. 

  • Anonymized versions of the data will be made openly available with a CC-BY license.

  • A video from the event will be made openly available, but there will be no link between your (anonymous) sensor/questionnaire data and the video. 

Your rights 

So long as you can be identified in the collected data, you have the right to:

  • access the personal data that is being processed about you 

  • request that your personal data be deleted

  • request that incorrect personal data about you is corrected/rectified

  • receive a copy of your personal data (data portability), and

  • send a complaint to the Data Protection Officer or The Norwegian Data Protection Authority regarding the processing of your personal data

What gives us the right to process your data? 

Based on an agreement with the University of Oslo, Sikt - Norwegian Agency for Shared Services in Education and Research has assessed that personal data processing in this project follows data protection legislation. By participating in a MusicLab event, you consent to be recorded. There will be signs at the door that clearly show that recording is taking place.

Where can I find out more?

If you have questions about the project or want to exercise your rights, contact: 

Published Oct. 31, 2019 10:27 AM - Last modified Mar. 7, 2022 12:05 PM