Ben is a social and cultural researcher specialising in music and creative industries, with a particular interest in regional participation and development. As a Griffith University Postdoctoral Fellow he leads the ‘Roaring Twenties’ project investigating crisis and reinvention in Australia’s live music sector, to inform evidence-based policy and action.

Other projects include consultancy research for industry peak bodies and local governments, and ARC Discovery Project, ‘Cultivating digital music-making in regional Australia’ (2024-27). Ben’s publications include the edited book, Popular Music Scenes: Regional and Rural Perspectives (2023, Palgrave), and agenda-setting articles in the growing international field of regional music research.

As a long-term member of the Regional Music Research Group (Australia/New Zealand), Ben has chaired industry seminars on government policy and live music development, and led the group’s submission to the Commonwealth Live Music Inquiry. He co-founded and convenes the Sociology of Music group within The Australian Sociological Association, and established the MusicLIVES Symposium to facilitate connections between academic, industry and policy stakeholders.

Ben is a regular contributor to The Conversation and national media concerning music industry issues.