About me
Dr Kirsten Hermes is an interdisciplinary researcher, author, and Senior Lecturer at the University of Westminster. She is also an audio-visual artist and violinist, working at the intersection of science and the creative arts. Performing internationally under the moniker Nyokee, she integrates the sounds of retro gaming consoles into electronic music, accompanied by moving visuals.
Kirsten holds a PhD in sound perception from the University of Surrey (UK), funded by the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council, as well as a Master’s degree in Audio Production from the University of Westminster. She frequently publishes in academic journals and interdisciplinary books, recently authoring the Routledge book “Performing Electronic Music Live”. Outside of academia, Kirsten works as a freelance composer, sound designer and video creator, applying her expertise in audio and visual storytelling to a wide range of industry projects (Sony, ROLI, and more).
Teaching
Kirsten's teaching practice integrates creative technology, sound design, and research-led pedagogy to prepare students for contemporary careers in audio, music, and media industries. She teaches across undergraduate and postgraduate levels (including PhD supervision), covering topics such as audio production, performing with technology, and research methods.
Research
Dr Kirsten Hermes' research explores the intersection of sound, creativity, and technology, focusing on how humans interact with intelligent systems in creative audio contexts. Her work combines psychoacoustics, human–computer interaction, and practice-led work to better understand and design technologies for sound, performance and music creation. Kirsten leads the Music and Emerging Technologies Research Group in the School of Arts.
Publications
Book
• Hermes, K., 2022. “Performing Electronic Music Live”. Routledge, New York.
Book chapters
• Hermes, K. (2025c) ‘Generative AI as a tool to support film composition and sound design – an industry case study’, in Hepworth-Sawyer, R., Hodgson, J., Paterson, J. and Toulson, R. (eds.) Innovation in Music. New York: Routledge. Manuscript submitted for publication.
• Hermes, K. 2025 ‘Augmented creativity: using AI collaborators to make a music video’, Dancecult Journal. (in press)
• Hermes, K., 2025. Augmented creativity: does AI help or hinder musicians' creative processes?. In: Hepworth-Sawyer, R., Hodgson, J., Paterson, J., Toulson, R. (Eds.) “Innovation in Music”. Routledge, New York (accepted for publication).
• Anthony, B. and Hermes, K. (2025) ‘Perspectives on electronic popular music education’, Journal of Popular Music Education. Manuscript submitted for publication.
• Hermes, K., 2024. Creative Cyborgs: virtual 3D characters as artist identities for musicians. In: Hepworth-Sawyer, R., Hodgson, J., Paterson, J., Toulson, R. (Eds.) “Innovation in Music”. Routledge, New York.
• Hermes, K., 2024. Research methods in live electronic music and audio-visual performance. In: Dylan-Smith, G., Dines, M., Rambarran, S. (Eds.) “Popular Music Research Methodologies”. Intellect, Bristol.
• Hermes, K., 2023. Levelling up chiptune: nostalgic retro games console sounds for the ROLI Seaboard. In: Hepworth-Sawyer, R., Hodgson, J., Paterson, J., Toulson, R. (Eds.) “Innovation in Music”. Routledge, New York (accepted for publication).
• Hermes, K., 2020. Creative Considerations for On-Screen Visuals in Popular Electronic Music Performances. In: Hepworth-Sawyer, R., Hodgson, J., Paterson, J., Toulson, R. (Eds.) “Innovation in Music”. Routledge, New York.
• Hermes, K., 2019. Optimizing vocal clarity in the mix. In: Hepworth-Sawyer, R., Hodgson, J., Paterson, J., Toulson, R. (Eds.) “Innovation in Music”. Routledge, New York.
• Hermes, K., 2019. Enhancing creativity through automatic mixing research: testing spectral clarity predictors in the mix process. In: Gullö, J. O. (Ed.), “Proceedings of the 12th Art of Record Production Conference Mono: Stereo: Multi”. Stockholm: Royal College of Music (KMH) & Art of Record Production.
Peer reviewed conference papers, blogs and journal papers
• Paterson, J.L. and Hermes, K. (2025) The Emergence of AI in Music. United Kingdom: RT60 Ltd.
• Hermes, K, 2022. 8-bit Music on Twitch: How the Chiptune Scene Thrived During the Pandemic. Dancecult, Vol 14 No 1.
• Hermes, K., “Factors influencing the spectral clarity of vocals in music mixes”, 146th Audio Engineering Society Convention, Dublin, Ireland, March 2019.
• Hermes, K., Brookes, T., Hummersone, C., “The harmonic centroid as a predictor of string instrument timbral clarity”, 140th Audio Engineering Society Convention, Paris, France, June 2016.
• Hermes, K., Brookes, T., Hummersone, C., “The influence of dumping bias on timbral clarity ratings”, 139th Audio Engineering Society Convention, New York, USA, November 2015.
Invited workshops and events
• Hermes, K. “Blender for Musicians”, Westminster University CreaTech Conference, London (June 2024).
• Hermes, K. Panel Discussion: “Creative Collaboration in the Recording Studio” 154th Audio Engineering Society Convention. Aalto University, Helsinki (May 2023)
• Hermes, K. “An Unbiased View of AI”, Music and Gaming Festival, Washington DC (January 2023).
• Hermes, K. “Machines on Stage: Approaches to Performing Electronic Music Live”, Audio Engineering Society Workshop, online (May 2022).
• Hermes, K. “Randomisation as a Means of Improvisation in the Live Performance of Popular Electronic Music”, MuPaCT (collaborative research project across several UK universities, online, July 2020).
• Hermes, K. “Parameters of high quality mixes: EQ and spectral clarity”, Hamburg Ableton User Group Presentation, SAE Institute, Hamburg (September 2017).
• Hermes, K. “Parameters of high quality mixes: EQ and spectral clarity”, London Ableton User Group Presentation, University of Westminster, London (April 2017).
Publications
For details of all my research outputs, visit my WestminsterResearch profile.