Dr Leah Barclay is an Australian sound artist, designer, and researcher who works at the intersection of art, science, and technology. Leah’s research and creative work investigate new methods in ecoacoustics, exploring the soundscapes of terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems to inform conservation, scientific research, and public engagement. She is a specialist in underwater recording and has over 15 years of experience recording marine and freshwater ecosystems across the planet.

Leah composes complex sonic environments and audio-visual works that draw attention to changing climates and fragile ecosystems. These works are realised through virtual reality, live performances, interactive installations, and site-specific experiences drawing on environmental field recordings, live streams, and spatial sound diffusion. Leah’s augmented reality sound installations have been presented across the world, from Times Square in New York City to the Eiffel Tower in Paris for COP21.

Leah has been the recipient of numerous awards, and her work has been commissioned, performed, and exhibited to wide acclaim internationally by organisations including the Smithsonian Museum, UNESCO, Ear to the Earth, Streaming Museum, Al Gore’s Climate Reality, and the IUCN. She leads several research projects, including Biosphere Soundscapes with UNESCO and River Listening, which focuses on advancing the field of ecoacoustics. The design of these interdisciplinary projects is responsive to collaborating communities and involves the development of new technologies, including remote sensing devices for the rainforest canopy and hydrophone recording arrays in aquatic ecosystems. Leah is the Discipline Lead of Design at the University of the Sunshine Coast, where she is also co-leading the Creative Ecologies Research Cluster.

Photo by Dr Tricia King (Listening in the Wild, Sunshine Coast)