Who gets to make music? Western PhD candidate challenges ableist instrument design
Ran Jiang inspired students in China to rethink accessibility in music education
Like most musicians, Ran Jiang never used to question how musical instruments are designed for people with two hands, 10 toes and above-average dexterity.
But after completing a research assistantship (RA) under professor adam patrick bell, Canada Research Chair in Music, Inclusion and Accessibility, her perspective changed.
Now, as a PhD candidate in music education, Jiang is working to raise awareness and challenge the inherently ableist nature of instrument design.
As part of her doctoral research, Jiang conducted a workshop with secondary students in Henan, China, who used computer software and DIY electronics to rethink musical instruments and for whom they are designed.
Western News reached out to Jiang to learn more about her work and her findings.
Read or listen to full interview (via Western News article by Keri Ferguson, May 20, 2026)
Photo: Shannon MacDonald/School of Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies
