Research Retreat in Memory of David Huron Workshop or Seminar

We are pleased to announce a research retreat in partnership with the Society for Music Perception and Cognition and Northwestern University, in memory of David Huron. The retreat will combine sessions on empirical research methodology with a project-based hackathon. The hackathon will put into practice Huron’s principles for empirical research and scientific collaboration. The intention of the retreat is to provide opportunities for participants to develop empirical research skills, offer a productive research experience, and ultimately support empirical research in music cognition. Specifically, it will focus on principles of empirical research methodology, foster collaboration and mentorship, and result in draft research products.

Schedule

• Mornings: presentation and discussion of research methodology principles
• Afternoons: hackathon teams develop and refine research question, draft introduction, methods, and expected results sections of paper, gather data, perform at least initial data analysis
• Report out: each team presents their project, work accomplished, and plan going forward

Who should attend

• Persons interested in beginning to conduct empirical research in music

How hackathon teams will be formed: Participants submit research ideas or interests within theme areas—

Optimizing rhythmic complexity (led by Justin London. Carleton College)
Auditory scene analysis and the perception and analysis of orchestration (led by Stephen McAdams, McGill University)
Music (radio) across the globe (led by David Sears, University of Michigan)

Hackathon project leaders and organizers select participants to form teams of 2-5.

Logistics

• Dates: July 18-21, 2026 (dates immediately preceding SMPC 2026)
• Location: Northwestern University, Evanston, IL, US
• Maximum of 12 participants
• The Kate Hevner Scholarship available for selected participants with financial need (details on the website)

Applications

• Application and contact information for two referees due March 31
• More information at www.davidhuron.org/retreat-2026

Methodology Instructors

• Daniel Shanahan, Northwestern University
• Joshua Albrecht, University of Iowa
• Lindsey Reymore, Arizona State University

Hackathon Project Leaders

• Justin London, Carleton College
• Stephen McAdams, McGill University
• David Sears, University of Michigan

For more information

www.davidhuron.org/retreat-2026