Jazz and Democracy: The 2026 Nicholas Aroney Democracy Lecture

The 2026 Nicholas Aroney Democracy Lecture asks us, can music teach us about democracy and democratic ideas? With democracy at threat globally and increasing disengagement with democracy amongst younger people both in Australia and internationally - is perhaps the answer to our understanding of democratic practices we value from ancient Athens to the modern world to be learnt in music? Our lecturer, Dr Wesley J Watkins, or "Dr Wes", thinks so. Founding the Jazz & Democracy (J&D) project in 2009 as an interdisciplinary and music integrated program to engage students and participants in high order thinking skills about society and their place within it. J&D participants are continually asked to evaluate, synthesise, and apply knowledge, to think elastically across domains that, at first, may seem dissimilar: music and the social sciences, particularly history, current events, government and culture. However, using interviews with more than 40 jazz musicians and musical participation, the sessions provide insight on a range of topics vital to students: leadership, social responsibility, the importance of practise, perseverance, and integrity, just to name a few. Join us for a fascinating presentation and help us make some music as Dr Wes gets us to think about democracy in new and innovative ways and encourage our next generations of good civic citizens. The Jazz & Democracy Project® (J&D) is a music integrated curriculum linking the arts (music, particularly jazz) and the humanities (history, government, civics and culture). Presented with support of the Nicholas Anthony Aroney Trust Greek Cultural Fund. About our speaker Dr Wesley J. Watkins, IV, Ph.D., D.Litt., is the Founder of The Jazz & Democracy Project® (J&D), a music integrated curriculum that utilizes jazz as a metaphor to bring democratic ideals to life. For nearly 20 years “Dr. Wes,” as his students call him, has been teaching learners of all ages, from elementary and secondary level schools to colleges and universities. In addition, he now trains other educators in the use of J&D proprietary materials and pedagogy to achieve the crucial balance displayed by the best jazz ensembles: individual freedom of creative expression in service to the greater good. Dr. Wes first proposed what would become J&D in his undergraduate honors thesis at the Stanford University School of Education Undergraduate Honors Program. He conducted initial research at Oxford University where he engaged and learned from music educators at both local elementary schools and world-renowned secondary institutions like The Bedales School, Eton College, and The Yehudi Menuhin School. After earning his Ph.D. in Education from the University of Reading, England, Dr. Wes immediately applied his knowledge as an independent arts education consultant in the San Francisco Bay Area, working at the district, school, and classroom levels. He then spent three years working for education reform non-profits where he facilitated professional development for teachers, instructional coaches and administrators. Since starting J&D, Dr. Wes has presented to corporations, community organizations, and both public and private schools in rural and urban America, Chile, The Gambia, Liberia, Haiti, Guatemala, Brazil and Australia. In 2024 The University of Reading awarded Dr. Wes an Honorary Doctor of Letters for his years of service through J&D. Whether presenting to an auditorium of young people, to a room filled with teachers, or to employees of top companies, Dr. Wes draws audiences inside the jazz process and inspires them to achieve excellence both as individuals and as a team. Now based in Australia, Dr Wes is Postdoctoral Research Associate at the Conservatorium of Music.