Audio Universe is a collection of tools and resources to support data analysts, educators, and communicators to represent data and concepts with sound. Our work is underpinned by our research, and multi-disciplinary team of experts. This website introduces you to some of our work. You can also check out our YouTube channel.
Update 18th September 2026: We have released Version 1 of our Sonification Suite App and now you can get early access to our new planetarium show: A Black Hole's Journey!
Sonification (turning data into sound) provides an opportunity to bring data to life. Whether it be for policy makers, your customers, or the general public, sound can make audiences feel more engaged with data and concepts. Check our some examples!
We develop multi-sensory educational and communication resources and tools. This includes audio-visual content, tactile models, planetarium shows, and virtual reality experiences.
Our Sonification Suite is an online App. It provides an easy-to-use interface to produce your own sonifications. We've tailor made a module for planetariums. However, you can also use the "Data Composer" with any tabulated dataset! Coming to you in September 2026!
We help researchers and data analysts uncover new insights in complex data. By using sounds to complement traditional visual methods, we open up huge potential to make new discoveries in large and complex datasets.
Our resources and tools are underpinned by our research in sound design, education, communication, and accessibility. We've produced a powerful open source Python sonification code package for turning data into sound. Check out our research and our code!
Find out more about the team behind Audio Universe and some of our key news and events.
Across our work we aim to bring education and data analysis to people of all levels (from school pupils to academics) in an accessible way.
In this 2 minute video, meet Emma, a sixth form student who’s incredibly passionate about science and outer space.
With the support of her QTVI (Qualified Teacher of Vision Impairment) Katherine, and through the work of our team, she has been able to experience the universe through sound.
Emma and Katherine have been working with us to apply sonification, and tactile resources, for accessible education.
Prefer an audio-described version? Watch one here.
An important part of our values is to work with partners across different communities. We've worked with community groups, schools, and museums, in a constructive partnership to co-develop our resources and approaches.
As an example, hear from Audio Universe's Chris Harrison and partner teacher Rachel Lambert about the motivations for our Audio Universe project and how we are working with members of the community to develop our resources. This includes our flagship engagement project to date: an accessible sonification-based astronomy show called "Tour of the Solar System".
This 4 minute video was released with to celebrate winning an Engagement and Place Award at Newcastle University. Prefer an audio-described version? Watch one here.
