• Soundscape design for the built environment
• Speech intelligibility in multilingual environments
• Building acoustics and the use of Statistical Energy Analysis (SEA) models to predict sound transmission through buildings
• Acoustical properties of green roofs
• Noise in hospitals
• Classroom acoustics

Dr Laurent Galbrun is an Assistant Professor in Acoustics in the School of Energy, Geoscience, Infrastructure and Society, Heriot-Watt University, Edinburgh (UK). His expertise covers the fields of building acoustics, environmental noise and soundscapes. An engineer, he is experienced both in theoretical modelling and in carrying out experimental work, as well as in carrying out standardised measurements for consultancies. In 2004, he was awarded a PhD in building acoustics at Heriot-Watt University, and in 2005 he became a Lecturer in Acoustics in the School of the Built Environment of Heriot-Watt University. His research initially focused on sound transmission through buildings and statistical energy analysis modelling, as well as hospital noise. Since 2008, Galbrun has been carrying out soundscape research, an approach which relies on both physical characteristics and mental perception of the aural environment. His work on soundscapes has mainly focused on the acoustical design of water features and their use for road traffic noise masking, as well as office noise masking. He has also expertise in speech intelligibility within indoor spaces, with research that has focused on the particular issue of cross-cultural communication. Other research work includes the acoustical properties of green roofs.