Dr MacRitchie works on developing educational programmes and technology to enhance music learning for older adults to improve their health and wellbeing. Partners include those in aged care, music education, and local health districts.
With a background in both electrical engineering and music, her research focuses on the acquisition and development of motor skills in instrumental performance, and how these can be used to promote health and wellbeing. Studies range from looking at movements of novices to experts, from those who have studied music from a young age to those who are rediscovering music in retirement.
She serves as Associate Editor of Frontiers in Psychology, Performance Science, and is on the editorial board of Musicae Scientiae. She has conducted research in a variety of environments, completing her doctoral work in University of Glasgow's Science and Music Research group, and a postdoctoral position at the Conservatorio della Svizzera Italiana in Lugano, Switzerland.