Research

My research builds on my extensive experience as a musician and educator in different parts of the world, and reflects my longstanding interest in the relationships between music learning and participation, and recovery from extreme human experiences – such as conflict and catastrophe. Currently I am investigating young people’s experiences of music schools and community music centres in conflict-affected towns/cities, and the impact that these sites for music have on community life. I’m focusing on three particular music schools/centres, in Bosnia-Herzegovina, Timor-Leste, and Afghanistan.

Earlier research projects have examined the perspectives and experiences of recently-arrived refugee and immigrant children regarding music learning and participation; the pedagogies of teaching artists and community musicians, particularly in English language learning or non-English speaking environments; and cross-cultural arts practice in different cultural and social contexts.

I am a PhD candidate at Griffith University, Australia, and my publications can be found on Academia.edu— https://griffith.academia.edu/GillianHowell —and my website —http://www.gillianhowell.com.au/research-and-publications.

Gillian Howell presenting at Bangladesh Music Week – (c) 2015 Live Square All Rights Reserved