Sleep Science Research

I began investigating the affects of sound upon sleep in 2003. There seemed to be very few clear answers to my specific questions. A team of experts has been formed to carry out the necessary scientific research.

Through an AHRC Arts and Science Research Fellowship I have been working with Psychologists Chris Alford and Jennie Parker at UWE (University of West of England) building and testing a 'Dream Director' to further our understanding of the affects of sound on sleep. This research is a vital part of the Sky Orchestra development and what we learn from this research will be transferred to shape and inform new compositions.

Read about this in the AHRC journal - Podium

Cambridge Neurotechnology (who were awarded a Queen’s award for Innovation in Industry in 2002) have developed a system based on their ‘Actiheart’ ® that can identify sleep stages including REM/dreaming sleep based on heart rate changes. Worn by a participant as they sleep, this wireless device sends signals to a computer which then plays specific audio files during REM stage of sleep. Participants dream-time experiences are then analysed and compared to uninfluenced dreaming and the overall sleep experience.

Specifically the device enables us to look at the affects of sound and music upon dreaming content. We expect this research to have both artistic outputs and clinical applications for people suffering from trauma who commonly experience nightmares.

Two programmes were made about our research in 2006 on BBC World Service and BBC radio 4.

Listen to the feature. BBC radio4 "All in the Mind"

The Dream Director can also function as a tool to promote lucid dreaming and is being developed to form an immersive interactive multimedia artwork.

This scientific research project has been carried out with the support of Richard Freemantle of UWE, sleep pychologists David Lush, Jennie Parker & Chris Alford. Sounds created by composer Dan Jones.