Dr Hillegonda Rietveld is Reader in Cultural Studies at London South Bank University, UK, where she initiated, developed and manages the successful degree BA (Hons) Music and Sonic Media and supervises PG research related to DJ, dance and digital cultures.

In 1982, she released her first music recording for Factory Records, as part of electronic combo Quando Quango, and became closely involved in the development of Manchester's flagship club, the Haçienda, FAC51.

She completed her studies in 1995, with a PhD on house music cultures, the uses of DJ/production technologies and subjectivity in dance spaces. Her subsequent research work in electronic dance music cultures is published in a range of books and journals.