The CRESS lab was commissioned to support the local evaluation of a range of inclusive music projects in Brighton & Hove, Sussex, and Surrey, funded by Youth Music and run by Future Creators, a major collective of cultural and education organisations aimed at developing and realising young people's creative potential.

The project includes inclusive ensembles for children with special educational needs and disabilities, as well as inclusive music spaces for marginalised young people in areas of socioeconomic disadvantage to explore and develop skills in different genres of music.

The work is currently being developed as part of a funded doctoral research studentship held by Marusa Levstek.  The research involves a mixed-methods investigation drawing upon the perspectives of creative practitioners, parents, and the young people themselves, integrating results from multiple methodologies:  quantitative data from surveys; quantitative data from structured observation protocols; and qualitative data from in-depth interviews and focus groups.