S4E1: Soundscapes and Soundscape Ecology with Bryan Pijanowski

In this first episode of season 4, Claudia speaks to Bryan Pijanowski about soundscapes and sound ecology. They discuss what soundscapes are, how to study them and why thinking about sound might help scholars to think more deeply about animals and their environments.  

Date Recorded: 7 October 2021

Dr. Bryan C Pijanowski is Professor and University Faculty Scholar in the Department of Forestry and Natural Resources at Purdue University. His work focusses on the use of sounds to study nature and how humans perceive their environment through their senses, especially through sound.  He is also the Director of the Center for Global Soundscapes, which serves as a focal point for comparative global soundscape work that focusses on classifying sounds for use in biodiversity research.  His group also spans into informal learning. He is the Executive Producer of an IMAX-Giant Screen-Domed Experience interactive film called Global Soundscapes! A Mission to Record the Earth. He has published over 170 peer-reviewed articles, conducted research at over 54 locations around the world, and is close to reaching his personal mission of conducting a study in every major terrestrial and aquatic biome in the world (only four more to go!). His soundscape archive now exceeds 4 million recordings.  The longest research project is now starting its fifteenth year.  Dr. Pijanowski received his PhD (Zoology) from Michigan State University and his BS from Hope College (Biology).

Claudia (Towne) Hirtenfelder is the founder and host of The Animal Turn. She is a PhD Candidate in Geography and Planning at Queen’s University and is currently undertaking her own research project looking at the geographical and historical relationships between animals (specifically cows) and cities. Contact Claudia via email (info@theanimalturnpodcast.com) or follow her on Twitter (@ClaudiaFTowne).

Featured: 

Soundscape Ecology: The Science of Sound in the Landscape by Bryan Pijanowski et al; Soundscape conservation by Sarah Dumyahn and Bryan Pijanowski; Introduction to the special issue on soundscape ecology by Bryan Pijanowski and Almo Farina; Global Soundscapes: Mission to Record the Earth narrated by Bryan Pijanowski; the cicada sound recording and dawn chorus in Borneo are sound recordings from Bryan Pijanowski’s archive; the sound recordings of the common nightingale are credited to Tristan Guillebot de Nerville (

A.P.P.L.E
Animals in Philosophy, Politics, Law and Ethics (A.P.P.L.E)

Sonic Arts of Place Laboratory (SAPLab)
The SAP Lab provides workspace, recording equipment, computer software/hardware and a listening stat

Sonic Arts Studio
The Queen’s Sonic Arts Studio (formerly Electroacoustic Music Studio) was founded in 1970 by David K

Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you.