���ϳԹ���Դ

I joined the University of Bergen in 2015 as Professor of Biological, Medical and Music Psychology through the national programme. My training spans psychology, sociology and music performance, with a PhD and Habilitation from the Max Planck Institute for Human Cognitive and Brain Sciences and postdoctoral work at Harvard Medical School. Before Bergen I held professorships at the University of Sussex and the Free University of Berlin’s “Languages of Emotion” cluster.

My research uses music as a model system to explore fundamental principles of human cognition and emotion and their underlying brain mechanisms. We map how the brain processes musical structure and how music influences emotional networks, integrating methods from neuroscience, psychology, neurology and psychiatry. Our group also translates these insights into practice, for example through the Alzheimer’s and Music Therapy () trial, which evaluates music and physical activity interventions for people with Alzheimer’s disease, mild cognitive impairment and subjective cognitive decline. Other projects explore music’s role in pain reduction, stress modulation, substance use disorders and Parkinson’s disease.

Theoretically, we contribute to debates on the brain as a prediction engine. By studying how musical tension and release shape expectations and reward, we collaborate with colleagues such as Karl Friston to understand how the brain updates internal models. I have authored several books for both scientific and general audiences, including , and , and I am committed to public engagement. 

My work has contributed to establishing a new scientific framework for understanding music's profound effects on the human brain, articulated in publications in journals such as , , , and .  

Our Brain and Music Group welcomes enquiries from students and collaborators interested in the neuroscience of music, emotion and health. 

If you are interested in doing a B.Sc. or M.Sc. thesis in my group please click on the tab to the right. 

 

Popular science books

(Cambridge University Press, 2025) summarises the latest science on how music shapes our brains, emotions and health, with practical guidance for everyday life. A Norwegian edition, , is also available, as well as the German edition , and translations in several other languages. (2022) explores how unconscious processes influence our thoughts and offers strategies for overcoming negative patterns. 

Talks, podcasts and media

I regularly discuss music and health in lectures, media interviews and podcasts. Recent highlights include , a Bergen Philharmonic session with pianist Leif Ove Andsnes, an appearance in the NRK TV series , as well as interviews for NRK radio and Norwegian newspapers. 

Below is a selection of podcast appearances over the past 3 years. 

• Apple Podcasts – Conversation about Good Vibrations and evidence for music’s therapeutic effects.

• SPIEGEL Gesundheit – How music supports well-being and health.

• ZDFheute – Feature on music’s benefits for mental health.

• ARD Audiothek – Public radio conversation on therapeutic mechanisms.

• Deutschlandfunk Kultur – On recovery, stress regulation and music.

• Deutschlandfunk – Long-form interview on biography and research.

• Spotify – Discussion of neural and physiological pathways.

• Antenne / SPIEGEL – Practical strategies for everyday mental health.

• RTL+ Podcast – How to regulate stress and rumination.

• detektor.fm – When (and when not) music helps learning.

• MDR KLASSIK – Music, longevity and health.

• hr2 kultur – Interview on clinical and everyday applications.

• YouTube – Public lecture / interview highlights.

• YouTube – Overview of emotional processing of music.

• YouTube – Interview on practical impacts of music on health.

• YouTube – Conversation on shared and distinct brain mechanisms.

• Saarländischer Rundfunk – Regional radio piece on music & health.

• SR / UNSERDING – Youth-oriented discussion of music and mood.

• podcast.de – Career path, research and practice.

• Podigee – Episode page / alternate feed.

• Podigee – Technology, creativity and emotion in music.

• podcast.de – What happens in brain and body during music.

• Apple Podcasts – German-language discussion of music’s healing power.

• Deutschlandfunk Kultur – Street review of the book.

• SR2 – Feature/podcast on music and health.

• turi2 – Media pointer to interview on music and wellbeing.

• Snipd – Collection of podcast highlights and bookmarks.

• IMDb – Indexed media appearance.

Academic article

Academic literature review

Academic monograph

Conference lecture

Academic book chapter

Study protocol

Professional article

Journal corrigendum

Lecture

Conference poster

Selected publications

Our current projects include: 

. 

We also carry out MRI-studies (e.g. on emotions, or on the effects of emotions on thoughts, often using music as experimental stimulus), and EEG studies (e.g. on predictive coding).