Conference Papers / Public Speaking / Articles and Outputs 2020 – 2025

Daniels, S. (2025) ‘The Why Informs The How’ – Transferable Skills in Songwriting Education’. ICMP Leeds and Liverpool Dec 2025

Daniels, S and James, L. (2025) ‘The Future Self Songwriting Project’ in partnership with CATs @ Middlesex University – National Network for the Education of Care Leavers Conference. London (Nov 2025)

Daniels, S (2025) ‘Why It Matters Who Writes The Songs Which Soundtrack Our Lives’. European Sociological Association Mid Term Conference. The Future of Gender and Culture in Europe. Barcelona University. (Nov 2025)

‘Peaceful Warrior – Liberty’s Mother Album Two’ – A community performance and discussion as part of Baby Loss Awareness Week 2025 at Thorpe House School, Gerrards Cross, Buckinghamshire. (Oct 2025)

Daniels, S. (2024). ‘Gender and Why We Write Songs’. Gendering Music Matter. Power, Affects, and Infrastructures of Music Industries Conference. University of Copenhagen. March 2024

‘Peaceful Warrior’ by Liberty’s Mother. The 1st full rock band performance of the Feminist Song Cycle at The 10th Anniversary Loud Women Festival, London, (Sep 2025)

Daniels, S (2025). Findings from ‘Peaceful Warrior – A feminist song cycle and practice research project’. The 5th Annual Women’s Work in Music Conference at Trinity Laban, London. (August 2025)

Daniels, S and Davies, C. (2025) Presenting findings from the co-writing and production of ‘Peaceful Warrior’ – A Feminist Song Cycle at The F-List for Music Research Hub 4th Annual Conference (May 2025)

Daniels, S and Allison, M and Barka, L. ‘The Role of Songwriting in Trauma Related Research – The Future Self Project’ – Centre for Abuse and Trauma Studies partners symposium at Middlesex University London (April 2025)

Daniels, S. (2025) ‘Why We Write Songs – Takeaways for Music Educators’. Invited guest talk to faculty – Malmo Academy of Music. (April 2025). https://songwritingstudies.com/why-we-write-songs/ https://songwritingstudies.com/why-we-write-songs-ii/ https://songwritingstudies.com/why-we-write-songs-iii/ https://youtu.be/fkErwsWfYpk https://youtu.be/AcszFwJF_Yo https://youtu.be/LQQcySeJ3iA

Liberty’s Mother EP1 ‘I Can Love You From Here’ – Appeared as a guest of Swansong: ‘Songwriting, Music & Bereavement Podcast’ (March 2025)

Women In Music Panel Guest – Americana Association UK Conference (January 2025)

BBC Radio 6 Six Musicology ‘Professors of Songwriting’ Special with Guy Garvey.(26th Nov 2024)

Daniels, S. (2024) .‘Why It Matters Who Write The Songs Which Soundtrack Our Lives’. Gender Cultures Conference at IULM University Milan. (Nov 2024)

Daniels, S. (2024) ‘Does It Matter Who Writes The Songs Which Soundtrack Our Lives?’ (2025). Misogyny in Music Study Day at The Centre for Music and Social Justice at Southampton University. (Nov 2024)

Daniels, S. (2024) ‘Why We Write Songs – A Songwriting Higher Education Perspective’ – Association of Popular Music Education Conference Edinburgh Napier University (July 2024)

Daniels, S. (2024). ‘Why We Write Songs’. Saved By A Song Conference. ICMP London (June 2024).

‘Songwriting As Method’. Co-lead for incubator research study day. Wolverhampton Uni / ICMP, London (June 2024)

Daniels, S. (2024) ‘Internalised Sexism in Creative Process for Songwriting -Liberty’s Mother Second Album. The F List For Music Gender Research Hub 3rd Annual Conference. Wolverhampton University. (May 2024)

Daniels, S. (2024 tbc) ‘(Why It Matters) Why We Write Songs’. Songwriting Studies Research Network Journal Edition 2. (Spring 2024 tbc)

Song Critique and Listener Perspective – Guest Masterclass for University Southern California. ICMP London (May 2025)

Creative Process for Songwriting. Appeared as a guest on ‘Music Production for Women’ Podcast (April 2024)

Daniels, S (2023) ‘Creative Process for Songwriting’. Invited talk for CPD Series. Cambridge University. December 2023

Daniels, S. (2023) ‘On Why We Write Songs’. Dialogues on Songwriting Conference, Agder University. November 2023

Daniels, S (2023) ‘ ‘I Can Love You From Here’ – Exploring Non Commercial EP Release Strategies’. ICMP RSPP Conference, London. July 2023

Bain, V. Potocnik, M. Daniels, S. Menendes, S. (2023) ‘Report in response to the Call for Evidence, issued by the Women and Equalities Committee on ‘Misogyny in Music’ for The UK Government Women & Equalities Committee. April 2023
www.committees.parliament.uk/committee/328/women-and-equalities-committee/publications/written-evidence/?page=11

Daniels, S. (2023) ‘Writing My Own Role In UK Music Education’ Invited Keynote Lecture. The F List Music/Gender Research Hub Conference. London. May 2023

Daniels, S. (2023) ‘Why We Write Songs’ Invited Guest Lecture. Belmont University, Nashville. March 2023

Daniels, S. (2023) ‘Why We Write Songs’. Invited Guest Lecture. Middle Tennessee State University. March 2023

Daniels, S (2022) ‘Differing Values in Songwriting’. The Research Hour. F List Music/Gender Research Hub Online Series. Dec 2022

Daniels, S (2022) ‘Songwriting Practice and Therapeutic Songwriting’. Chiltern Music Therapy – Invited talk for CPD Training Hour – Nov 2022

Daniels, S. Turner, F. Pattison, P. West, A. ‘Why We Write Songs III- Round Table Discussion Event. Songwriting Studies Research Network Online Event. (May 2022)
www.songwritingstudies.com/why-we-write-songs-iii

Daniels, S. (2022) ‘Liberty’s Mother and Non-Commerical Songwriting Research’. Performance/Paper. The F List Gender/Music Research Hub Conference. University of Wolverhampton. May 2022

Daniels, S. (2022) ‘Why We Write Songs – A Community Research Project’ – ICMP RSPP Seminar Series. April 2022.

Daniels, S. Cooper, M. Gauthier, M. Collinson-Scott, J. Paulusma, P. ‘Why We Write Songs II – Round Table Discussion. Songwriting Studies Research Network Online Event.(March 2022)
www.songwritingstudies.com/why-we-write-songs-ii

Daniels, S. Marshall. Baker, Baker, Cunnah, Ashton, ‘Why We Write Songs – Round Table Discussion. Songwriting Studies Research Network Online Event.(September 2021)
www.songwritingstudies.com/why-we-write-songs

Liberty’s Mother Band Performance – Opened ‘Still Parents’ Exhibit at The Whitworth Art Gallery, Manchester. September 2021

Daniels, S and Beales, S. ‘Hip Hop Education Symposium’. Institute Contemporary Music Performance, London. June 2021.

Daniels, S. (2020) ‘The Value of Song’. The Future of Music in Higher Education in Europe Conference. Leeds Conservatoire. March 2020

More on; Career, research areas and interests

Since 2005, Sophie Daniels has been a trailblazer in the world of music education, setting a high bar in the design, delivery and development of further and higher education songwriting programmes across the UK. She began teaching songwriting when very few programmes and short courses in the area were available.

Early in her career, Sophie worked as a songwriter, performer and music teacher, and in marketing roles at major labels including Sony UK and S Records. Professionally, Sophie has worked with Simon Cowell, Jamie Oliver, Westlife, Kelly Clarkson, Charlotte Church, Gareth Gates and Il Divo. She’s product managed albums by artists including Barbra Streisand and Neil Diamond, as well as the multi-million-selling concept albums Classic Chillout and Music To Watch Girls By.

Now Head of Songwriting at the Institute of Contemporary Music Performance (ICMP), Sophiehas had the pleasure of working with songwriting graduates from the institute including Foxes, Richard Fairlie and Jordan Shaw, as well as the bands Daughter, Bear’s Den and Rise To Remain.

Sophie is responsible for overseeing all new and existing songwriting programmes at ICMP,recruiting and managing talented faculty staff and initiating industry partnerships with organisations such as The Ivors Academy, the American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers (ASCAP), the Nashville Songwriters Association International (NSAI), Belmont University, Berklee College of Music and the legendary Bluebird Cafe in Nashville.

Sophie’s recent songwriting industry work has seen her organise the UK launch of Song Suffragettes – a groundbreaking all-female country songwriter showcase from Nashville.

Achievements/Professional Practice Experience

More than 20 years in the design, development and implementation of songwriting education programmes and modules.

Holds qualifications including Principal Fellowship of the Higher Education Academy (PFHEA) (2023) and Preparing to Teach in the Lifelong Learning Sector (PTLLS) (Level 4, 2009).

An estimated 8,000 hours of songwriting teaching to date.

Director at The F-List – a CIC directory service encouraging female and gender-expansive people to launch music industry careers.

Launched ICMP’s MA in Songwriting

Completed research on ‘Why We Write Songs’ for a book project, presenting it at the Association of Popular Music Education (APME) international conference at Edinburgh Napier University.

Worked with the Middlesex University Centre for Abuse, Trauma and Suicide (CATS) on a songwriting research project to promote positive identity with young care leavers.

Researched therapeutic songwriting with Chiltern Music Therapy and networked with international colleagues.

As Liberty’s Mother, worked with UK charity Tommy’s and the All-Party Parliamentary Group (APPG)on Baby Loss to promote awareness on the issue.

Raised £10,000 for baby loss charities performing as Liberty’s Mother at record launches, church services, events, on radio and TV, and at the UK Houses of Parliament, achieving national press coverage

Guest edited Issue #3 of the Songwriting Studies Research Network Journal.

Co-curated a symposium on h-hop pedagogy to support Level 5 study at ICMP.

Runs London branches of Song Suffragettes and the Nashville Songwriters Association International (NSAI).