Dr Susan Hallam is Professor of Education and Music Psychology at the Institute of Education, University of London. She pursued careers as both a professional musician and a music educator before completing her psychology studies and becoming an academic in 1991.  Her research interests include disaffection from school, ability grouping and homework and issues relating to learning in music, practising, performing, musical ability, musical understanding and the effects of music on behaviour and studying.

She is the author of numerous books including Instrumental Teaching: A Practical Guide to Better Teaching and Learning (1998), The Power of Music (2001) Music Psychology in Education (2005), and Preparing for success: a practical guide for young musicians (2012); editor of The Oxford Handbook of Psychology of Music (2009) and Music Education in the 21st Century in the United Kingdom: Achievements, analysis and aspirations (2010); and has extensive other scholarly contributions. She is past editor of Psychology of Music,  Psychology of Education Review and Learning Matters.

She has twice been Chair of the Education Section of the British Psychological and is an Academician of the Learned Societies for the Social Sciences.