Shain Shapiro PhD is an author, strategist and one of the world’s leading thinkers on music’s role in cities. As Founder and Executive Chairman of Sound Diplomacy and Founder of the Center for Music Ecosystems, he has helped more than 150 cities worldwide use music and culture to drive economic growth, urban development and social cohesion.

His book This Must Be The Place: How Music Can Make Your City Better has been translated into five languages and helped shape a global movement around music-led development. He also leads the Music Economy Development Initiative with Global Citizen, advancing research on music as a tool for international development.

A sought-after speaker, Shapiro has appeared at hundreds of international conferences, including SXSW and the UN World Urban Forum, and delivered the first TEDx talk on music’s role in cities. His next book, How Music Can Save The World, will be published in 2027. Based in East London, he holds a PhD from the University of London.