BFE Annual Conference 2026

The British Forum for Ethnomusicology (BFE) Annual Conference 2026 is the UK's premier gathering for scholars, practitioners, and students dedicated to the study of music in its human and cultural contexts. Hosted by the Department of Music at King’s College London, this four-day event centers on the thought-provoking theme: "Ethnomusicology and The Present."

The 2026 conference invites participants to interrogate the concept of "the present" from multiple angles. In an era marked by rapid technological shifts and global crises, the conference explores how music and sound are positioned within the "now." Key discussions will delve into temporality—how we construct the contemporary and the modern—and the idea of "presence" versus "absence" in ethnographic fieldwork.

Attendees can expect a rigorous academic program featuring paper presentations, organized panels, and roundtable discussions. The event also highlights the role of music in shaping affects and experiences amidst the "polycrisis" of climate change and political shifts. Beyond the lecture halls, the conference includes live musical performances, including sets by The Third Orchestra and the SOAS Min'yō Group, bridging the gap between theoretical research and live practice.

Whether you are an established academic or a postgraduate student, this conference provides a vital platform for networking, professional development, and the dissemination of new research that spans the globe, from the digital realms of AI-generated music to the material traditions of local communities.