Composer Dr Manuella Blackburn, who recently joined Keele University as Lecturer in Music Technology and Media, has been elected to the council of the Royal Musical Association (RMA).

Dr Blackburn’s three-year appointment as Ordinary Council Member of the RMA will see her work as a trustee to the registered charity.

Dr Blackburn’s role will involve her supporting the advancement of scholarship and scholarly publication and to help shape the RMA’s future endeavours.

The RMA, founded in 1874, is the second-oldest society of its kind in the world and its council promotes excellence in all fields of musical enquiry including historical and critical musicology, practice-led research, music analysis, composition, ethnomusicology, popular music studies, music and science in all its forms, and interdisciplinary investigations.

Dr Blackburn said: “I'm really excited about joining this prestigious council. My interest in being elected as Ordinary Council Member was to represent women in music, specifically in composition and those working with technology and the digital arts. My experiences as a student, early career academic and experienced researcher will contribute to the RMA's agendas and outlook for future musical activity and research."