My Research
My research explores contemporary Pop and R&B songwriting through the lens of creative practice, focusing on melodic hook development, lyrical construction, and modern commercial songwriting methodologies. My work examines how structured compositional techniques, improvisation, sensory writing, and collaborative creative processes contribute to emotionally engaging and commercially effective songwriting.
Additional research interests include Scandinavian pop songwriting traditions, K-pop compositional structures, AI-assisted creativity, artist identity development, and the evolving relationship between technology, cognition, and music production within contemporary popular music culture.
Find some of my papers here:
https://acm.academia.edu/SarahManovski
Research & Academic Interests
Sarah’s developing research interests include:
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Songwriting as creative practice research
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Contemporary songwriting pedagogy
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Creative identity formation in artists
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Technology and AI within songwriting practice
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Popular music studies
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Music industry sustainability and artistic development
Current Research Interests
Sarah’s current research interests centre on contemporary commercial songwriting methodologies, creative practice research, and the evolving relationship between artistry, cognition, and music production within popular music.
Her developing research explores melodic construction and “hook-first” songwriting approaches associated with Scandinavian pop writing traditions, particularly the melodic architecture and compositional methodologies associated with Max Martin and contemporary commercial pop production.
Additional areas of interest include:
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melodic mathematics and structural analysis in commercial songwriting
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hook-focused composition and listener retention techniques
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idea-generation systems in songwriting practice
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sensory and descriptive writing methods, including Pat Pattison’s object writing methodology
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collaborative songwriting environments and creative workflow design
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genre hybridity and compositional structures within contemporary K-pop
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cross-cultural pop production and genre blending
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AI-assisted creativity and digital vocal technologies in modern songwriting practice