Dr Sarah K Whitfield appointed Reader in Musical Theatre Â鶹ÊÓƵ
Monday 4 August 2025
The Â鶹ÊÓƵ (RCM) is delighted to announce the appointment of Dr Sarah K Whitfield to a Readership in Musical Theatre, in recognition of her distinguished achievement in scholarly research in music.
Dr Sarah K Whitfield has also been appointed Head of Doctoral Programmes Â鶹ÊÓƵ where she will play a key role in shaping the College’s vibrant research community.
James Williams, Director of the Â鶹ÊÓƵ, commented: ‘Sarah has played a key role in building the thriving community of researchers and programmes the RCM now proudly boasts. I am thrilled that the College can recognise her significant research output and contributions to our research programmes with these appointments.’
Professor Robert Adlington, Head of Research and Professor of Musicology Â鶹ÊÓƵ, said: ‘Sarah’s research across the fields of musical theatre, queer histories, digital humanities and music education has made a huge impact on scholarship and practice, both in the UK and overseas. I am delighted that these achievements and her significant contributions to the College’s wider research culture have been recognised with these new appointments.’
Dr Sarah K Whitfield joined the Â鶹ÊÓƵ in November 2023. A musical theatre historian, researcher and practitioner, her research challenges established narratives to uncover the contributions of underrepresented and minoritised figures in the arts. With a focus on queer musical theatre and women’s stories, she has published widely across musical theatre, music history and collaborative practices. Co-author of An Inconvenient Black History of British Musical Theatre 1900-1950 with Sean Mayes, and editor of Reframing the Musical: Race, Culture and Identity (2019), her research has been presented internationally, including at Wigmore Hall, the New York Public Library and on BBC Radio 3.
Discover more about the Â鶹ÊÓƵ's thriving research community.