Woody’s research highlights humanity of making music
Nebraska’s Robert Woody believes the heart of music lies in the human experience behind it.
An international leader in the psychology of music, Woody was recognized on the Stanford/Elsevier Top 2% Scientists List, a rare accomplishment for a music researcher.
The list identifies the world’s leading scientists by analyzing their impact, including how often other scientists reference their work.
By making kids more musical, we are enriching their lives in a real, meaningful way.
Robert Woody
Woody’s research explores how music shapes and is influenced by human cognition, behavior and emotion. His research and classes are better preparing the next generation of music educators.
“By making kids more musical, we are enriching their lives in a real, meaningful way. I’m fortunate to be in a field like music education and music psychology that can be really, really powerful,” said Woody, Steinhart Foundation Distinguished Professor of Music.
Among the tens of thousands of scientists on the Stanford/Elsevier list, Woody is one of only 78 music researchers. The 2024 list includes 180 Huskers, of whom Woody is the only professor from the Hixson-Lied College of Fine and Performing Arts.
His research topics include learning, motivation, emotional expression, creativity and leadership as they relate to music.
Understanding psychological principles better prepares educators and other leaders to deal with difficult situations. For music teachers in particular, working with a range of talent, ages and skill levels in a single class or band presents challenges.
Woody’s research also seeks to make music more accessible. He identified a gap between the classical music most students study and what many enjoy outside of class. Incorporating genres such as rock and hip-hop into classes helps motivate learners.
“Most of my students are being prepared to go out and be K-12 music teachers, and we’re trying to get kids to do music they’ve never heard,” he said. “Why don’t we do the music they can relate to?”
Incorporating making music outside of formal structures also encourages people to embrace music.
“If you just engage people in music making [that] they can do, and make it social, make it enjoyable, they can start to believe they are, in fact, musical,” he said.
“Music is a human absolute, and it belongs to everybody.”