Bruce, N., 2024.

Re-evaluating Soundscape: Exploring the sonic relationship between sound and human experience in contemporary environments.

Entering the sixth decade since Southworth and Schaffer coined the term 'Soundscape' as both a term and method by which to understand the sound environment, soundscape research has seemingly moved from the ecological and arts movements of the late 1960's, towards a more constructivist, empirical epistemology, beginning at the turn of the new millennium. With awareness growing both inside and outside of academia, soundscape research is starting to align once again with phenomenological and environmental considerations, confronting epistemological assumptions and moving towards a holistic approach to soundscape study. In addition, considering new challenges arising in research including aural diversity, anthropocentrism, bioacoustics, social impact, and subjectivity, there is a return holistic, environmental examination and post-structuralist approach to soundscape research.
Considering research and practice from disciplines including acoustics, sound studies, anthropology, environmental psychology, sound art and sociology, this book gives readers an exploration of key theories, ideas and debates in current soundscape studies, and discusses how practice can be developed to address these. This book will explore the need for a re-evaluation of soundscape and discuss its relevance and importance in the context of contemporary soundscape research and practice, by examining the ontology of sound and the human experience of sound. The book seeks to discuss the implications of soundscape re-evaluation for the research community, the arts, urban design and planning, as well as other relevant disciplines. This book aims to provide a valuable contribution to the field of soundscape studies and will inform future research in this field.
In these increasingly challenging times of overload, environmental crisis, and social injustice, attention given to how the soundscape forms and shapes our world, health and environment as well as developing new methods of engaging with our environment can be powerful tools for change.