Personal profile
Biography
I have worked and studied across music, psychology and cognitive science since finishing my undergraduate degree in musicology in Oslo. I completed an MA in Music Psychology at Sheffield University, and a doctorate in Music at the University of Oxford. Before coming to Birmingham, I was Assistant Professor at the Center for Music in the Brain, Aarhus University, Denmark.
Research interests
The main interest of Dr Witek and her lab is in researching the psychology, cognitive neuroscience and cognitive philosophy of musical experience, with a focus on rhythm, timing, emotion and body-movement. Much of Dr Witek's work is centred on trying to understand how dance music experiences and practices emerge from interactions between embodied, neural, musical and social processes. She uses research methods from across experimental psychology, cognitive neuroscience, qualitative social psychology, digital music analysis and phenomenology. In 2022, she embarked on a research project funded by the Arts and Humanities Research Council, investigating Embodied Timing and Disability in DJ Practice. She is also a co-investigator on the Augmented Reality for Music Ensemble (ARME) project, which is testing a model of how music ensembles synchronise their playing to achieve a cohesive performance. The model will be used to develop a rehearsal system where musicians can practice with virtual ensembles that adapt their timing to the musician in real time.
Education/Academic qualification
Doctor of Philosophy, ... and I feel good! The relationship between body-movement, pleasure and groove in music, University of Oxford
1 Oct 2009 → 11 Mar 2013
Award Date: 10 Oct 2013
Master of Arts, Master of Arts in Music Psychology, University of Sheffield
10 Sept 2007 → 10 Sept 2008
Award Date: 8 Sept 2008
Bachelor of Arts, Musicology, University of Oslo
11 Aug 2003 → 15 Jun 2006
Award Date: 15 Jun 2006
Keywords
- M Music
- music cognition
- rhythm
- timing
- sensorimotor synchronisation
- emotion
Fingerprint
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Collaborations and top research areas from the last five years
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Disabled DJs and Dance Music Culture
Witek, M. A. G., Cooke, C., Nash, G. & Heywood, L., 23 Mar 2026, (E-pub ahead of print) In: Popular Music. 21 p.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
Open AccessFile8 Downloads (Pure) -
Simultaneous Beat Tracking of Two Auditory Rhythmic Periodicities
Nijhuis, P. & Witek, M. A. G., 15 Apr 2026, In: Music & Science. 9, 19 p., 20592043261435532.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
Open AccessFile -
Working with the crew: Reflections on integrating participatory and co-creative methods into queer nightlife studies
Witek, M. A. G. & Garcia-Mispireta, L. M., 2026, (Accepted/In press) The Bloomsbury Handbook of Gender in Popular Music Industries. BloomsburyResearch output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceeding › Chapter
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Body maps of the sensation of musical groove
Witek, M., Matthews, T. E., Bechtold, T. & Penhune, V., Oct 2025, In: PNAS nexus. 4, 10, pgaf306.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
Open AccessFile -
Combining Groovy Popular Music Drum Beats with Catchy Keyboard or Guitar Patterns: The Urge to Move and Catchiness in Polyphonic Context
Bechtold, T. A., Curry, B. & Witek, M. A. G., 28 Jul 2025, (E-pub ahead of print) In: Music & Science. 8, 14 p.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
Open AccessFile106 Downloads (Pure)
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Enhancing the ‘DJ for All’ initiative
Garcia, L. M. (Co-Investigator) & Witek, M. (Principal Investigator)
AlphaTheta Corporation (parent company is: NORITSU KOKI CO. LTD)
16/02/26 → 31/01/27
Project: Research
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BBSRC IAA (2023): Massimiliano Di Luca - App-based MUSic Ensemble Rehearsal (AMUSER)
Wing, A. (Co-Investigator), Witek, M. (Co-Investigator) & Di Luca, M. (Principal Investigator)
Biotechnology & Biological Sciences Research Council
1/08/23 → 31/03/24
Project: Research Councils
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Embodied Timing and Disability in DJ Practice
Witek, M. (Principal Investigator)
Arts and Humanities Research Council
1/02/22 → 31/01/24
Project: Research Councils
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Augmented Reality Music Ensemble
Wing, A. (Co-Investigator), Di Luca, M. (Principal Investigator), Witek, M. (Co-Investigator) & Elliott, M. (Co-Investigator)
Engineering & Physical Science Research Council
1/09/21 → 29/12/25
Project: Research Councils
Activities
- 1 Conference, workshop or symposium
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Groove Workshop
Witek, M. (Organiser), Matthews, T. (Organiser), Bechtold, T. (Organiser), Penhune, V. (Organiser), Stupacher, J. (Organiser) & Duman, D. (Organiser)
25 Jan 2023 → 27 Jan 2023Activity: Academic and Industrial events › Conference, workshop or symposium