Dr. George Musgrave studies the psychological experiences and working conditions of creative careers, with a current focus on mental health and wellbeing in the music industry. He co-led a major research project entitled ‘Can Music Make You Sick?’ alongside Sally Anne Gross on mental health and the music industry exploring the links between anxiety/depression and precarious work, the book of which was an Amazon Number 1 Best Seller in the Sociology of Work. He has also done work on ethical decision-making by music managers and wellbeing in the gig economy.

His work broadly covers three research areas:

• Wellbeing and mental health in the music industry (Chaparro & Musgrave, 2021; Musgrave, 2020; Gross & Musgrave 2016, 2017, 2020; Gross, Musgrave & Janciute, 2018)
• Cultural entrepreneurship (Athanassiou & Musgrave, 2021; Musgrave, 2014)
• Intermediation in cultural markets (Musgrave, 2017)

His work led directly to the establishment of the first 24/7 mental health helpline for musicians – Music Minds Matter – launched in 2017. His research has been featured by media outlets including BBC News, Pitchfork, Mixmag, GQ, The Financial Times, BBC Introducing, The Grammys, Billboard and more.

He is also a musician who has signed both major recording and publishing deals with EMI/Sony/ATV. His music has earned support from the likes of Mike Skinner, Plan B, Ellie Goulding and Ed Sheeran, and he has been labelled ‘Middle England’s Poet Laureate’ by BBC Radio 1 & 1Xtra DJ MistaJam. Prior to signing to his record deal, he was the first ever unsigned artist to win a place on the coveted MTV ‘Brand New’ list, and has played at festivals including Reading, Leeds, Wireless and BBC Radio 1’s Big Weekend.