Music Industry & Urban Policy Expert; Founder & Chairman of Sound Diplomacy; Author of "This Must Be The Place"

UK
Live Event: $10,000 - $20,000 Virtual Event: $5,000 - $10,000 More Fee Info

Shain Shapiro, PhD Biography

Shain Shapiro, PhD, is a recognized authority on music, culture, and urban policy. Shapiro is the founder and chairman of the economics consultancy Sound Diplomacy, founder and director of the global nonprofit Center for Music Ecosystems, and author of "This Must Be The Place: How Music Can Make Your City Better." His work has advanced the integration of music cities and music ecosystem policy, influencing how cities and regions incorporate music into urban planning and investment strategies.

Shapiro began his career in the music industry, working across record labels, music journalism, and music venue management before representing the Canadian Independent Music Association in the United Kingdom and European Union. He holds a PhD from Birkbeck, University of London, with a dissertation focused on the history of popular music funding in Canada.

Through Sound Diplomacy, Shapiro has developed and implemented strategies to enhance the value of music ecosystems, advising governments and the private sector on music business economy growth. His consulting work has impacted more than 150 cities and regions, supporting investment in music and culture. Shapiro is also the founder and executive director of the Center for Music Ecosystems and co-founder of Music Cities Convention, an event connecting the music industry with city planners, developers, policymakers, and executives.

Shapiro has delivered presentations at international forums, including the United Nations World Urban Forum, and has consulted with the Greater London Authority on initiatives such as the development of London's Night Czar and the Mayor of London's music policy. His work with Sound Diplomacy includes consulting in more than 60 cities and countries and developing the Cuban official music strategy for the United Nations Industrial Development Organisation. Shapiro has authored reports on music's role in cities, tourism, the night-time economy, real estate, and recovery, including a comprehensive guide to music and the Sustainable Development Goals in partnership with the United Nations. He is also the founder of the Music Economy Development Initiative, a project using music to address global poverty in partnership with Global Citizen, the IFC, and Universal Music Group.

Shapiro's book, "This Must Be The Place: How Music Can Make Your City Better," was published by Repeater Books and distributed in the United States by Random House. The book has been translated into multiple languages, including Italian, Spanish, Arabic, Japanese, and Brazilian Portuguese, and is available as an audiobook. Shapiro has delivered a TEDx talk on the value of music to cities and has spoken at the European Parliament, MIDEM, MIPIM, SXSW, and Smart Cities Expo. He has authored courses for the Global Leaders Institute and Berklee College of Music and is co-founder of Unison Rights, a copyright management entity in Spain. Shapiro continues to contribute to Forbes and other publications, focusing on music industry trends, urban development, and cultural policy.

BOOK Shain Shapiro, PhD

Speaker profile last updated by AAE Talent Team on 10/09/2026.

Shain Shapiro, PhD Speaking Topics

  • How Music & Culture Can Increase Tourism

  • How Music & Culture Supports Inclusive, Equitable Cities & Places

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Shain Shapiro, PhD Videos

Shain Shapiro Showreel

Shain Shapiro Showreel

A showreel for Shain Shapiro

Shain Shapiro - A Short Message Before I Go On Tour

Shain Shapiro - A Short Message Before I Go On Tour

A bit of thankfulness for what's happened since "This Must Be The Place: How Music Can Make Your City Better" was released.

Shain Shapiro PhD: How music helps cities grow | Vilnius 2024

Shain Shapiro PhD: How music helps cities grow | Vilnius 2024

  • How do I book Shain Shapiro, PhD to speak at my event?

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  • What topics does Shain Shapiro, PhD speak about?

    Shain Shapiro, PhD is a keynote speaker and industry expert whose speaking topics include Art & Design, Author, Business Consulting, College, Culture, Disruptive Thinking, Diversity & Inclusion, Government, Music, Non-Profit, TED, Thought Leadership
  • Where does Shain Shapiro, PhD travel from?

    Shain Shapiro, PhD generally travels from UK, but can be booked for private corporate events, personal appearances, keynote speeches, or other performances. For more details, please contact an AAE Booking agent.
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Shain Shapiro, PhD is a keynote speaker and industry expert who speaks on a wide range of topics such as How Music & Culture Can Increase Tourism, How Music & Culture Supports Inclusive, Equitable Cities & Places, How Music & Culture Makes Cities Better, How Music & Culture Attracts & Retains Talent, How to Attract A Creative, Vibrant Workforce and Improving Downtowns, Main Streets & Town Centers. The estimated speaking fee range to book Shain Shapiro, PhD for your event is $10,000 - $20,000. Shain Shapiro, PhD generally travels from UK and can be booked for (private) corporate events, personal appearances, keynote speeches, or other performances. Similar motivational celebrity speakers are Blair Imani, Andrés Tapia, Baratunde Thurston, John Legend and Shereese Floyd. Contact All American Speakers for ratings, reviews, videos and information on scheduling Shain Shapiro, PhD for an upcoming live or virtual event.

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