As I sit in a little café in rainy Sheffield, staring at my half-finished thesis and doing everything but actually finishing it, my mind drifts back to a highlight of my past year that shines bright: my 8-week research visit at RITMO at the beginning of 2023. Having just completed the first study of my PhD back in Spring 2022, I was on the hunt for opportunities to broaden my horizons. My supportive supervisors - Renee Timmers, Nikki Dibben, and Jenni MacRitchie - always emphasised exploring new places and getting to know academic institutions outside the UK, and RITMO had captured my attention for quite a while. The remarkable work conducted there resonated with my interests and passion for rhythm and synchronisation. So, I was thrilled to reach out to Jonna Vuoskoski and craft an exciting project together, combining our interest in the social aspects of music and synchrony. After securing funding from SEMPRE (The Society for Education, Music and Psychology Research) and the University of Sheffield, I was off to Oslo, filled with excitement for this new adventure!
My 8 weeks at RITMO were truly amazing, and here’s what made them so memorable:
- Meeting new people: RITMO is a blend of diverse minds and exciting ideas. I was warmly embraced by the RITMO community, participating in stimulating discussions at cluster meetings, hearing about fascinating projects and working in a laid-back and welcome environment.
- Exciting collaborations: Partnering with Jonna, ?a?r? and Lieke on a research project was a blast. We brainstormed and juggled ideas, and I had the opportunity to engage with equipment and facilities not available in my home institution.
- Outside RITMO: I also had the chance to join the RITMO team at an exciting research retreat in Copenhagen, connecting with researchers from other Scandinavian institutions and learning about their research journeys.
- Not just work: Oslo wasn’t all about work - I braved an ice bath in a frozen lake, saw the beautiful Nothern Lights only 10 minutes away from RITMO, explored the enchanting opera house, attempted (or maybe tumbled in) cross-country skiing, and immersed myself in the heart of Norwegian culture.
- Cinnamon Buns: Let’s not forget those delectable cinnamon buns. They were the icing on the cake of my RITMO days!
A huge shout-out goes to these incredible people - Anna-Maria, Remy, Emil, Eirik, Olivier, Dana, Vinicius, Isabel, Diana, Pedro and David - who made me feel at home! Tusen takk!
This RITMO adventure was not only about research; it was also about forging friendships and embracing new experiences. I’m deeply grateful to Jonna Vuoskoski for this exciting opportunity to be part of RITMO for two months and to everyone for their warm welcome. Here’s to the music, the friends, and the cinnamon buns!
