Dr. Rod Davies

Biography

Rod Davies is Australia’s leading practitioner researcher in the fields of recording studio production and songwriting. His academic work includes books that investigate studio production through the lens of music practitioners, as well as articles discussing how the copyright system in Australia affects professional musicians in their working environments. His work impacts cultural policy by contributing to ongoing debates regarding law reform in the arts and cultural sectors. As the convenor of Popular Music and a lecturer in Songwriting at the Sir Zelman Cowen School of Music and Performance, Davies is passionate about sharing his knowledge and understanding of popular voice and songwriting with Monash students. He has a diverse background as a professional vocalist, having worked across various fields including live performance, studio recording, music theatre, and music publishing education. His experience as a session vocalist includes performances on television shows in Australia and collaborations with iconic Australian artists. He took his creative talents to Europe, where he spent six years writing and recording with local songwriters and producers. In recent years, his research has focused on understanding how to build thriving and sustainable music communities within Australian creative industries, particularly how technological, legislative, and societal changes impact the careers and lives of working musicians. He is currently involved in research that informs government inquiries into legislative copyright reforms.

Research Interests

Experience