Adrian Bossey

Head of Business & Experience Design

Adrian Bossey is Head of Subject at the Cornwall Business School, Falmouth University and a former artist manager whose clients included Carter the Unstoppable Sex Machine, Chumbawumba, Drugstore, My Life Story and The Senseless Things. He worked on 15 UK top forty albums, managed the main stage headline act at Glastonbury Festival (1992) and promoted the original launch party for Attitude is Everything. Adrian has set up or run 22 businesses in the UK and 2 in the USA, as well as mentoring over 100 student start-up businesses including Ider and Cheap Date Dance Company. Adrian has worked in academia for over 20 years, leading a range of successful bids, including for the RELAYS Cultural Olympiad Project, and acted as Chair of the South West Music Industry Forum. In 2007, Adrian co-authored the successful bid to merge Dartington College of Arts and University College Falmouth.

At Falmouth, Adrian was Executive Producer at AMATA for 6 years; working with artists including Cara Dillon, Pussy Riot and Elton John. Adrian wrote and led delivery of courses including MA Creative Events Management and currently oversees a wide range of courses including BA(Hons) Sustainable Festival Management and BA(Hons) Sustainable Tourism Management in partnership with the Eden Project. Adrian is currently responsible for all academic delivery across Cornwall Business School, including BSc(Hons) Business & Digital Marketing and MSc Entrepreneurship & Innovation Management. He conceived short on-line courses for the live music industry in partnership with A Greener Festival and Attitude is Everything. Adrian has won two annual Staff Excellence Awards for Outstanding Innovation in Teaching and led a team which was shortlisted for the International Learning Technologies award Best Online Distance Learning Programme 2017. Adrian is Sustainability Champion for Falmouth University, a Trustee for Attitude is Everything and the Chair of both the Association of Events Management Educators and The Point Quay Association.

Adrian’s research interests include potential digital futures for accessible live performances at music festivals. In 2023 Adrian delivered the LAAA project which installed a Beat Blocks haptic dance floor at Falmouth University over a period of 4 days in May 2023. In follow-on project supported by AEME and HEIF, Adrian is working with Deaf Rave and Beat Blocks to evaluate user perceptions of the authenticity of their live experience when experiencing haptic technology at selected music festivals. These projects focus on the introduction of haptic technology with the intent to facilitate accessibility and inclusive participation of people who are Deaf, disabled or neurodivergent at music festivals. Adrian is a reviewer for the International Journal of Event and Festival Management and Routledge.

External Links

Contact details

Telephone 01326 255816
Email adrian.bossey@falmouth.ac.uk
Bossey
Bossey

    Qualifications

    Qualifications

    Year Qualification Awarding body
    2012 PGCHE Falmouth University
    1987 BA (Hons) Modern European Studies Ealing College of Higher Education
    1983 3 A Levels Reigate 6th Form College
    1981 7 O Levels City of London Freemans School
    2013 PG Dip Falmouth University
    2014 MA Creative Education Falmouth University

    Research Interests

    Research interests and expertise

    Potential digital futures for live performance in the staging and consumption of music festivals

    Research Topics

    • accessibility
    • Authenticity
    • Liveness
    • Sustainability
    • Haptic technologies

    Research Outputs

    Publications and research outputs

    • Bossey, Adrian

      (2025), Live Audience Accessibility & Augmentation (‘LAAA’) Project(s) CHEAD Presentation 2025, In: CHEAD Innovations in Practice Event, 26th February 2025, online

    • Bossey, Adrian

      (2025), Live Audience Accessibility & Augmentation – Exploring Accessible Haptic Futures for Music Festivals. ABLE Assembly 2025, Presentation, In: ABLE Assembly - Arts Better the Lives of Everyone, 11-13 April 2025, Berklee, Boston, USA, Item availability may be restricted.

    • Bossey, Adrian

      (2024), Live Audience Accessibility & Augmentation – Exploring Inclusive Haptic Futures for Music Festivals, In: ATLAS Conference, 26-28 June 2024, Association for Tourism and Leisure education and Research (ATLAS) Conference, Breda University, Item availability may be restricted.

    • Bossey, Adrian

      (2024), Bringing industry and students together via CPD, In: Association for Events Management Education ('AEME') Teaching & Learning Special interest Group, 23rd February 2024, On-line at AEME Teaching & Learning SIG, Item availability may be restricted.

    • Bossey, Adrian

      (2024), UK Science Festivals Network conference 2024, In: UK Science Festivals Network conference 2024, 30th January 2024, STEAMhouse, Belmont Row, Birmingham B4 7RQ

    • Bossey, Adrian, Laws, Chantal and Moore, Teresa

      (2024), Delivering on-line education to events industry practitioners – a case study, In: AEME Forum 2024, 3-4 July 2024, Association of Events Management Educators Forum, Sheffield Hallam University.

    • Bossey, Adrian, Curtis, Mandy and Jones, Adam

      (2024), Audience perceptions of Deaf Rave DJ performances augmented with haptic vests at two UK music festivals., In: AEME Forum 2024 - The Value of Events and Events Education, 3-4 July 2024, Sheffield Hallam University

    • Bossey, Adrian

      (2024), Developing scales to measure perceptions of liveness at music festivals from attendees who are Deaf, disabled or neurodiverse., In: Leisure Studies Association Conference 2024, 10-12 July 2024, Leisure Studies Association Conference 2024, University of West of Scotland

    • Bossey, Adrian

      (2024), Progressive programming: Haptic technology, In: Festivals Awayday, 13th September 2024, University of Brighton

    • Bossey, Adrian

      (2024), Live Audience Accessibility & Augmentation (‘LAAA’) Project(s) GEI Presentation for AEME Panel (Chair) 2025, In: AGF - Green Events and Innovations, 25th February 2025, Royal Lancaster Hotel, London, W2

    • Bossey, Adrian

      (2023), Liveness 4.0: a new paradigm for accessibility at music festivals, In: AEME Forum, 6 July 2023, AEME Forum 2023, University of Gloucester

    • Bossey, Adrian, Lansley, Andrew, Lera, Dimitris and Lovell, Jane

      (2023), Presentation on panel at AGF Green Events Innovations 2024, In: Green Event Innovations 16 (GEI16), 27th February 2024, Green Event Innovations 16 (GEI16), Royal Lancaster Hotel, London (delivered in partnership with the International Live Music Conference)

    • Bossey, Adrian, Cheltenham Jazz Festival, The University of Gloucestershire and Falmouth University

      (2023), Keynote Presentation at Access to Music Conference, Cheltenham Jazz Festival, 2024, In: Access to Music, 03 May 2024, Cheltenham Jazz Festival

    • Bossey, Adrian

      (2022), Gatekeeper perceptions on adopting environmentally sound Information and Communication Technology enhanced live performances to improve the sustainability of music festivals, In: AEME Forum 2022, 6-7 July 2022, AEME Forum 2022, Item availability may be restricted.

    • Bossey, Adrian

      (2022), Perceptions on adopting Information and Communication Technology enhanced live performances to improve the accessibility and sustainability of music festivals, In: Leisure Studies Association Conference 2022, 12-14 july 2022, Falmouth University

    • Simmons, Marcus

      Bossey, Adrian, (2022), Engaging Students as Entrepreneurs in local communities, In: Student Engagement in Knowledge Exchange for Civic Good Conference, 8th July 2022, University of Portsmouth, via MS Teams

    • Bossey, Adrian

      Simmons, Marcus, Lingard, Chloe and Lewis, John, (2022), Engaging Students as Entrepreneurs in local communities, In: Student Engagement in Knowledge Exchange for Civic Good Conference, 8 July 2022, On-line

    • Bossey, Adrian

      (2021), Accessibility All Areas? UK live music industry perceptions of current practice and Information and Communication Technology improvements to accessibility for music festival attendees who are Deaf or disabled., In: AEME Forum, 1st July 2021, On-Line Conference

    • Bossey, Adrian

      (2020), Accessibility All Areas? UK live music industry perceptions of current practice regarding accessibility for music festival and event attendees who are Deaf or disabled, In: AGF Green Event Innovations 2020, n/a, n/a, ISSN: n/a

    • Bossey, Adrian

      (2019), Do graduating Events Management students perceive transformative benefits from experiential learning opportunities on a university’s public events programme?, In: AEME Conference 2019, 3rd July 2019, AEME Forum 2019, University of Hertfordshire

    • Bossey, Adrian

      (2019), Digital futures for ethically informed specialist training in the live music industry, In: REBOOT 2019, 12 June 2019, ICMP

    • Bossey, Adrian

      (2019), Digital futures for specialist training in the live events industry, In: Green Events & Innovation 2019, 5th March 2019, GEI Conference 2019, Royal Garden Hotel, Kensington High Street, London.

    • Bossey, Adrian

      (2018), Industry perceptions on potential digital futures for live performance in the staging and consumption of ‘music’ festivals., In: Events Education & Research: Coming of Age, the AEME 15th Events Management Educators Forum, 4-5 July 2018, AEME Forum 2018 in Leeds

    • Bossey, Adrian, Randell, James and Adrian Bossey

      (2017), How can a professional box office system be utilised as a learning vehicle for events management students?, In: AEME Conference 2017, 4th July 2017, AEME Conference 2017 at Cardiff School of Management, Cardiff Metropolitan University

    • Bossey, Adrian

      (2015), How do the personal backgrounds, experiences, attributes and entrepreneurial motivations of students and graduates from Falmouth University influence their decision to engage in entrepreneurial activity?, In: AEME 12th Annual Conference, 15 & 16 July 2015, AMATA, Falmouth University, (Unpublished), Item availability may be restricted.

    • Bossey, Adrian

      (2022), Gatekeeper perceptions on adopting environmentally sound Information and Communication Technology enhanced live performances to improve the sustainability of music festivals. International Journal of Event and festival management., Bingley: Emerald Group Publishing, Volume 13. Issue 3

    • Bossey, Adrian

      (2020), Accessibility All Areas? UK live music industry perceptions of current practice and Information and Communication Technology improvements to accessibility for music festival attendees who are Deaf or disabled., In: International Journal of Event and Festival Management, Emerald Publishing, USA, 11 (1), pp. 6-25, ISSN: 1758-2954

    • Bossey, Adrian

      Piloting Test Scales to Measure Perceptions of ‘Liveness’ Regarding ICT Enhanced Performances at Music Festivals

    • Bossey, Adrian

      (2024), Considering the potential for increasing sustainability at UK music festivals by monetising ICT enhanced content to fund reductions in overall on-site capacity., In: Routledge Handbook on Events and Sustainability, Routledge, Abingdon, pp. 341-353, ISBN: ISBN 9781032216324, Item availability may be restricted.

    • Bossey, Adrian

      (2023), Liveness 4.0: a new paradigm for accessibility at music festivals., In: Virtual Events Management, Goodfellow Publishers, Oxford, ISBN: 978-1-915097-03-3, (Submitted)

    • Bossey, Adrian

      (2023), Do you think ICT enhanced performances are really 'live' music, In: Routledge International Case Studies in Event Management, Routledge, Abingdon, ISBN: tbc, (Submitted), Item availability may be restricted.

    • Bossey, Adrian

      (2018), Industry perceptions of potential digital futures for live performance in the staging and consumption of music festivals., In: The Routledge Handbook of Festivals, Routledge, Abingdon, pp. 406-416, ISBN: 9781138735811

    • Bossey, Adrian

      (2023), Live Audience Accessibility & Augmentation (‘LAAA’), In: Live Audience Accessibility & Augmentation, 17-19 May 2023, AMATA

    • Bossey, Adrian

      (2023), Live Audience Accessibility & Augmentation 2 Beat Blocks (‘LAAA2BB’) Project, In: cheltenham Jazz Festival / Meltdown/ Tropical Pressure, various, Cheltenham/London/Porth Towan

    • Bossey, Adrian and University of Brighton

      (2023), Live Audience Accessibility & Augmentation 2 Festivals, South Downs / Rich Mix, London

    • Bossey, Adrian, Greenaway, Clair, The Association for Events Management Education and The University of Gloucestershire

      (2023), The Association for Events Management Education (AEME) 19th Annual Forum - Creating Inclusive Events: Participation, Pedagogy and Practice, Gloucestershire Business School, University of Gloucestershire, Gloucester, GL2 9HY

    • Bossey, Adrian, Reic, Ivna, Drakeley, Claire, Leer, Claire, The Association for Events Management Education and The University of Northampton

      (2022), The Association for Events Management Education (AEME) Forum 2022 - New Horizons: Working Together for a Brighter Future, University of Northampton Waterside Campus

    • Bossey, Adrian, Curtis, Mandy, Weeden, Clare, Williams, Michael, The Association for Events Management Education and University of Brighton

      (2021), The Association for Events Management Education (AEME) 17th Annual Forum 2021 - Events Principles and Practices: a level playing field?

    • Simmons, Marcus

      Cox, Steve, Neale, Vivienne, Popperwell, Kerri and Bossey, Adrian, (2023), National Enterprise Educators Award for Entrepreneurship Catalyst

    Teaching

    Areas of teaching

    • Business
    • Event & Festival Management
    • Music Industry
    • Tourism
    • Sustainability
    • Accessibility

    Courses taught

    • BA(Hons) Creative Events Management
    • BA(Hons) Sustainable Festival Management
    • BA(Hons) Sustainable Tourism Management
    • MA Creative Events Management

    CPD delivered

    AGF on-line short course
    AiE on-line short course

    Policy engagement within Cornwall

    Engagement with organisations which contribute to the development of educational, cultural or socio-economic policies in Cornwall

    Current/previous engagement with organisations which contribute to the development of educational, cultural or socio-economic policies in Cornwall has included:
    Arts Centre Trust - Previous board representative for UCF
    Carn to Cove/Cornwall Music Industry Forum
    The Eden Project
    Visit Cornwall
    Additionally, Adrian is currently Chair of the Point Quay Association

    Business Engagement

    Business start ups

    Adrian has set up or run 22 UK based businesses and two small US Corporations. Adrian led the Graduate Pre-Incubation Programme at Falmouth University, from 2011-2015 which supported 61 student start-up businesses in Cornwall. Adrian is Head of Subject for the MSc Entrepreneurship course which underpins Launchpad

    Business engagement case studies

    The Graduate Pre-Incubation Programme at Falmouth University supported Falmouth graduates who want to start a business in Cornwall. Successful applicants who provide a compelling business plan received 12 months of business support including £2,500 of funding, access to facilities and expert advice. This competitive award supported 61 graduate start-up companies from theatre companies to surfboard designers, digital media production companies to jewellery designers. The award was delivered by AMATA from 2011-2015  and supported by HEIF5 funding to deliver Convergence outputs.

    Professional Engagement

    Independent professional practice

    As an artist manager in the music industry; Adrian's clients included Carter the Unstoppable Sex Machine, Chumbawumba, Drugstore, My Life Story and The Senseless Things. He built their international careers and delivered 15 UK top forty albums. More recently, Adrian was Executive Producer at AMATA for 6 years; setting up the public programme and working with artists including Cara Dillon, Belarus Free Theatre, Theo Clinkard, Forced Entertainment, Bill Drummond, Shobana Jeyasingh Dance, Pussy Riot and Elton John. www.amata.org.uk

    Social, community and cultural engagement

    Adrian regularly presents at a range of events including the AGF Green Events Innovation Conference. He is a Trustee of Attitude is Everything and Chair of the Point Quay Association.

    Engagement with professional associations and societies

    Adrian is currently Chair of the Association for Events Management Education

    Membership of external committees

    • HE Regional Development Agency SW Business Engagement Group - Member 2003 – 2008
    • HE Regional Development Agency SW KESW2 Steering Group - Member 2003 – 2008
    • HE Regional Development Agency SW Creative Industries SIG - Member 2003 – 2008 (Chair 2006-2008)
    • SW Creative Economy Partnership - Member 2003 – 2007
    • HE Regional Development Agency SW G4B Steering Group - Member 2004 – 2007
    • South-West Music Industry Forum 2006 – 2008 (Chair 2006 – 2008)
    • ACT Ltd Board - Member 2008 – 2010
    • RELAYS Steering Group - Member 2008 – 2012
    • RELAYS Festivals and Events Operational Group 2008 – 2012 (Chair 2008 – 2012)
    • Point Quay Association – Trustee 2011 – 2024 (Chair 2021 - current)
    • Association for Events Management Education - Executive Member 2018 – 2024 (Chair 2021 - current)
    • Attitude is Everything – Trustee 2023 - current)

    Professional esteem indicators

    Year Description
    2019

    Falmouth University Staff Excellence Awards: Shortlisted for Best Partnership
    2016

    Falmouth University Staff Excellence Awards: Received team award for Outstanding Innovation in Teaching 
    2015

    Falmouth University Staff Excellence Awards: Received individual award for Outstanding Innovation in Teaching
     
    2014

    Falmouth University Staff Excellence Awards: Shortlisted Best Team