Contact Info

robin_harris@diu.edu
(972) 708-7340 ext. 2402

Curriculum Vitae

Education:

  • Ph.D. in Music (Ethnomusicology) – University of Georgia Athens, 2012
  • M.A. in Ethnomusicology – Bethel University, 2007
  • M.A. in Inter-Cultural Studies – Columbia International University, 2001
  • B.Mus. in Piano Performance, magna cum laude – Biola University, 1983

Awards:

  • Andrew W. Mellon Foundation grant for participating in the scholarly monograph initiative “Folklore Studies in a Multicultural World.” (2013)
  • Monte Howell award for outstanding musicology graduate from UGA (2012)
  • Pi Kappa Lambda National Music Honor Society (2012)
  • Winner of the Dale Olsen Prize (best student paper) – Society for Ethnomusicology Southeast and Caribbean Regional Chapter (2010)
  • Recipient of the Dean’s Award at the University of Georgia Athens (2010)
  • Recipient of the JoAnn Terry Walker Scholarship – University of Georgia Athens, Franklin College (2009-2010)
  • Certified as an Ethnomusicology Training Specialist (ETS) by the Global Ethnodoxology Network (2005)

Work and Service Experience:

  • Global Leadership Council of the WEA Mission Commission (2020 to the present)
  • President, Evangelical Missiological Society (2020 to 2022)
  • DIU Board: faculty representative (2019 – 2021)
  • Council Member for the Society of Ethnomusicology (2018 – 2021).
  • Board Member (regional VP) of the Evangelical Missiological Society (2016 – 2020).
  • Advisory Board member for Baylor University’s Center for Christian Music Studies (2016 – 2019).
  • Director of the Center for Excellence in World Arts at Dallas International University (2014 to the present).
  • Program Coordinator for the MA in World Arts at DIU (2012 to the present).
  • Arts Consultant and member of the International Arts Leadership Team with SIL International, 2011 to the present.
  • Ethnomusicology Consultant with Heart Sounds International, September 2006 to 2012.
  • Co-founder (2003) and President (2011 to the present) of the Global Ethnodoxology Network (GEN), formerly the International Council of Ethnodoxologists (ICE).
  • Coordinator, Music and Arts Task Force of the International Orality Network, 2007 to 2010.

Teaching Experience:

  • Associate Professor, Dallas International University (June 2018 to the present).
  • Assistant Professor, Dallas International University (2012-2018).
  • Facilitator – “Arts for a Better Future” intensive one-week workshop, Dallas, TX (yearly since 2012), Alaska (2013-2019), UK (2011, 2013, 2014, 2016, 2017, 2019), Jamaica (2014), Kenya (2014, 2018), Thailand (2015), Brazil (2016), Guatemala (2016), South Africa (2016), Argentina (2018), and Singapore (2020).
  • Ethnodoxology course coordinator, Southern Baptist Theological Seminary (2008,2010, 2014); Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary (2009); Ouachita Baptist University and B.H. Carroll Theological Institute (2011), Liberty University (2014, 2015), Redeemer Seminary (2015), Indiana Wesleyan University (2016, 2018, 2020), and yearly at DIU starting in 2018.
  • Guest speaker on Ethnodoxology at the “Perspectives” course – Anchorage, AK; Wasilla, AK; Houston, Dallas, and San Antonio, TX (1-2 venues per year, 2010-2019).
  • Russian language teacher (intermediate/advanced levels) at the International Academy in St. Petersburg, Russia, 2002-2003.
  • Music teacher (private piano and theory) from 1980-1994.

Conferences:

  • 2023. “Якутский танец осуохай в глобальном контексте (The Yakut round dance ohuokhai in global contexts)” – plenary session presented in Russian (via video recording) at a conference titled Якутский традиционный круговой танец осуохай как объект нематериального культурного наследия народов Российской Федерации: вопросы сохранения и укрепления традиций (The Yakut traditional  round dance ohuokhai as an example of intangible cultural heritage of the peoples of the Russian Federation: problems of preservation and strengthening tradition). 
  • 2022. “The Future of Mission is Local Worship” – plenary session presented at a conference celebrating Columbia International University’s 100th Anniversary.
  • 2022. “Best Practices for Encouraging Indigenous Worship” – breakout session presented at a conference celebrating Columbia International University’s 100th Anniversary.
  • 2022. “Why and How the Arts are Important to God’s Mission” – plenary session presented at the Mission Leaders Forum of the OMSC on April 30.
  • 2021. “A Touchy Topic: Mission, Agency and Advocacy in Ethnomusicological Research” – roundtable presented at the Society for Ethnomusicology Annual Meeting on Oct. 29.
  • 2021. “Искусство и творчество в межкультурном служении” (Arts and Creativity in Intercultural Ministry) – presented in Kyiv, Ukraine on Oct. 28.
  • 2021. “Make Arts for a Better Life: How to Develop Artistic Creations to Meet Community Needs and Aspirations” – co-presented virtually with Brian Schrag and Kathleen Van Buren at the Mayo Clinic Humanities in Medicine Symposium, Engaging Across Disciplines: Toward a Practice of Transdisciplinarity on Oct. 9.
  • 2021. “Ethnodoxology: Arts & Worship in a Multicultural World” – presented in chapel during Arts Week at Dallas Theological Seminary on Sep. 23.
  • 2021. “Engaging All the Arts in Discipling Worshipers”—plenary session presented at the Global Consultation on Music and Arts in Mission (online) on July 15.
  • 2021. “The Power of Arts in Mission” – session presented at the National African-American Missions Conference on May 24.
  • 2021. “On Earth as in Heaven: What does Ethnodoxology Value?” – plenary session presented at Ethnodoxology conference on March 20 in Hong Kong.
  • 2021. “Народное художественное творчество в межкультурном служении (Local arts in cross-cultural service),” presented at Музична конференція “Cлужіння, Творчість, Місія” (Musical Conference: Service, Creativity, Mission) on January 30 in Kiev, Ukraine (video).
  • 2020. “Core Values for Arts and Missions in the 21st Century,” presented at EMS National Meetings on October 9 in Dallas, TX (online).
  • 2020. “How Ethnodoxology Addresses Crises in Ministry and Mission,” presented at the National African American Missions Conference (NAAMC) on July 10 (online).
  • 2020. “Can I really use arts in mission?” presented at the National African American Missions Conference (NAAMC) on July 9, 2020 (online).
  • 2019. “How Ethnodoxology Addresses Crises in Mission,” presented at EMS National Meetings on September 14 in Dallas, TX.
  • 2019. “How Ethnodoxology Can Make your Mission Flourish,” on November 12 in Dallas, TX, at the Perkins Fall Convocation, Southern Methodist University.
  • 2019. Panel discussant: “False starts, promising trajectories, and resources in multicultural worship,” on December 3 at the Multicultural Worship Working Group Consultation, Calvin Institute for Christian Worship, Grand Rapids, MI.
  • 2018. Plenary response plus workshop: “Seven Conversations About the Arts that will Revitalize your Faith Community,” on November 13 in Dallas, TX, at the Perkins Fall Convocation, Southern Methodist University.
  • 2018. Plenary panelist for Fuller Missiology Lectures on “Global Arts and Witness in Multifaith Contexts,” Nov 7-9 in Pasadena, CA.
  • 2018. “Participatory Methods and Ethnoarts,” presented at GCoMM on July 31 in Nairobi, Kenya.
  • 2017. “Bend or Break: Measuring Resilience in Siberian Genres,” presented on October 27 in Denver, CO, at the annual meeting for the Society of Ethnomusicology (SEM).
  • 2017. “Life and Death in Siberia: Keys to Resilience for Intangible Cultural Heritage,” presented on July 14 in Limerick, Ireland, at the meetings of the International Council for Traditional Music (ICTM).
  • 2017.“The Problem of Translating ‘Safeguarding’ in the 2003 UNESCO ICH Convention, and its Effect on the Resilience of the Olonkho Epic Tradition,” presented on July 7 at the International Scientific Conference “The epic heritage of the peoples of the world: tradition and ethnic specificity,” chaired by General Director of UNESCO, Irina Bokova.  Yakutsk, Republic of Sakha (Yakutia), Russian Federation.
  • 2016. “The Sakha Olonkho: Resilience and a Siberian Epic Song-Story Tradition,” presented November 11 in Washington D.C. at the annual meeting for the Society for Ethnomusicology (SEM).
  • 2015. “Applied Ethnoarts Training: New Approaches, Resources, and Collaborative Partnerships,” presented Sept 14 at the SEM-ICTM International Forum on Transforming Ethnomusicological Praxis through Activism and Community Engagement at the University of Limerick, Ireland.
  • 2015. Психологические аспекты работы с носителями фольклорных традиций (по материалам Э.Е. Алексеева) [Psychological aspects of work with tradition bearers (based on the material of E. Ye. Alekseyev)], presented in Russian on Dec 14 in Saint Petersburg, Russian Federation, at the International scientific conference: “The role of the personality of folk singers in the preservation of national distinctiveness in the context of the cultures of the people of the world.” Dedicated to the 115th anniversary of the birth of a folk singer of Yakutia, member of the Union of Writers of the USSR, S. A. Sverev – Kyyl Uola (1900-1973). Electronic version with media clips available here.
  • 2015. Ключевые факторы в сберегании сказительских традиций (Key factors in the safeguarding of storytelling traditions), presented in Russian on Dec 4 in the city of Yakutsk in the Sakha Republic (Russian Federation), at the Second Republic-wide Forum “Olonkho and Olonkhosuts: Problems of culture and revitalization in the 21st Century.
  • 2015. “Олонхо в Фондах Гарвардского Университета (США) [Olonkho in the Collections of Harvard University (USA)], co-authored with Liza Vick (Archive of World Music at Harvard University) and Gilyana Dordzhieva (Heidelburg, Germany), and presented in Russian on June 19 at the International Forum on Epics of the World’s Peoples in Yakutsk, Republic of Sakha (Yakutia), Russian Federation.
  • 2014. “Ethnodoxology in the Orality movement: Training for arts engagement with oral learners,” presented April 4 at the Theological Educators Forum on Orality at Asbury Theological Seminary, Wilmore, KY.
  • 2014. “Beyond Ethnomusicology: Educational methods and resources for multi-disciplinary, multi-arts analysis and engagement,” presented at the annual  meeting of the Society for Christian Scholarship in Music (SCSM), Trinity Christian College, Palos Heights, IL.
  • 2013. “Applied Ethnoarts Training for Academic and Field Settings,” presented on July 17 at the biennial meetings of the International Council for Traditional Music in Shanghai, China.
  • 2013. “Сыҥаах анныгар:  Изустное восприятие Олонхо в меняющихся условиях” [“Under the Mouth” (Syngaakh Annygar): The Performance of Olonkho in Changing Contexts], presented in Russian, along with plenary greetings, via videorecording at an international scientific conference dedicated to the 120th Anniversary of Platon Oyunsky: “The Yakut Heroic Epos Olonkho – A Masterpiece of the Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity in the Context of World Epics,” held in Yakutsk, Republic of Sakha (Yakutia), Russian Federation, June 18-20.
  • 2013. “The Yakut Epos Olonkho: Past—Present—Future,” a symposium featuring the Eduard Alekseyev Fieldwork Collection and the work of scholars Robin Harris, Vasily Illarionov, and Sergei Vasilev, held on February 21 at the Eda Kuhn Loeb Music Library, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA.
  • 2012. “Transmission and Innovation: Keys to a Sustainable Future for the Siberian Epos Olonkho” presented at the Society for Ethnomusicology (SEM) Annual Meetings in New Orleans, LA.
  • 2012. “Is Music Really a Universal Language?” presented at Urbana 2012 in St. Louis, MO.
  • 2011. “Revitalization of Olonkho: Challenges and Key Factors for Viability” (presented in Russian). Plenary session at the International Arts Research Conference: “The Unified Space of Eurasian Culture.” Yakutsk, Russia.
  • 2011. “Attenuation, Revitalization, and Transformation in an Intangible Cultural Heritage Treasure: The Siberian Epic Olonkho,” presented at the Society for Ethnomusicology (SEM) Annual Meetings in Philadelphia, PA. 2010. “Convincing your leaders of the importance of ethnoarts,” presented at the Global Consultation on Music and Missions in Singapore.
  • 2010. “Strashno in Tchaikovsky’s Queen of Spades,” presented at the UGA Research Symposium, March.
  • 2010. “Revitalization and Sustainability: New horizons for the Siberian epos of olonkho,” presented at the meetings of the Society for Ethnomusicology, Southeast and Caribbean Chapter, at Florida Atlantic University in Boca Raton, March 2010. Recipient of Dale Olsen Prize for best student paper.
  • 2009. “Sonic Treasures in a Land of Gold and Diamonds: The Music of the Sakha in Siberia,” presented at the UGA Research Forum, March 2009.
  • 2009. “The epic poetry of Siberian olonkho: Celebrating a relic or true renewal?” – presented at the meetings of the International Council for Tradition Music in Durban, South Africa.
  • 2007. “Sonic Treasures in a Land of Gold and Diamonds: The Music of the Sakha in Siberia” presented at the Society for Ethnomusicology (SEM) Southern California Chapter meetings and the SEM national meetings.
  • 2007. “Contextualization: Understanding the Intersections of Form and Meaning” (Russian version), presented at the Siberian Partnership Consultation in Irkutsk, Siberia.
  • 2006. “Personal Development for the Ethnomusicologist,” presented with Dr. Brian Schrag at the Global Consultation on Music and Missions.
  • 2006. “Khomus: Voice of the Sakha in Siberia,” presented at the Society for Ethnomusicology Southern California Chapter meetings.
  • 2003. “The Jesus Road of the Kiowa,” presented in Russian; International Conference of the Folklore of Paleo-Asiatic Peoples, Yakutsk, Siberia.

Published Works:

  • 2022. Harris, Robin, and Brian Schrag. “A practical approach to arts and mission training programmes: Reflections on Arts for a Better Future.” In Arts Across Cultures: Reimagining the Christian Faith in Asia, edited by Warren R. Beattie and Anne M. Y. Soh. Oxford: Regnum Books.
  • 2021. “О переводе термина safeguarding в Конвенции ЮНЕСКО обохране нематериального культурного наследия (2003) и ожизнестойкости традиции олонхо (Translation of the term ‘Safeguarding’ in the 2003 UNESCO Convention on Intangible Cultural Heritage (2003) and its Effect on the Resilience of the Olonkho Epic Tradition).” In Гетерофония творчества Эдуарда Алексеева (The heterophony of the works of Eduard Alekseyev). Yakutsk, Russian Federation: Vyshe Shkola Muzyki.
  • 2020. “Supporting Ethnodoxologists Around the World: The Global Ethnodoxology Network.” Evangelical Missions Quarterly 56(1): 37–38.
  • 2019. “Review of Arthur Hatto’s The World of the Khanty Epic Hero-Princes: An Exploration of a Siberian Oral Tradition.” Canadian Review of Comparative Literature / Revue Canadienne de Littérature Comparée 46(4): 614–617. https://muse.jhu.edu/article/756987/pdf
  • 2019. “Epics and Epic Song.” In The SAGE International Encyclopedia of Music and Culture, edited by Janet Sturman, 813–816. Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage Publications. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.4135/9781483317731.n251
  • 2018. Hoogerheide, Katie, and Robin Harris. “Engaging the Arts in God’s Mission.” In Spirituality in Mission: Embracing the Life Long Journey, edited by John Amalraj, Geoffrey W Hahn, and William B. Taylor. Pasadena: William Carey Library.
  • 2017. Storytelling in Siberia: The Olonkho Epic in a Changing World. Urbana: University of Illinois Press.
  • 2017. Guest editor for GIAL Electronic Notes Series, 11(2). A Festschrift for Vasilii Illarionov. https://diu.edu/documents/gialens/Vol11-2/GIALens-11-2.pdf.
  • 2017. “Translation of the term ‘Safeguarding’ in the 2003 UNESCO Convention on Intangible Cultural Heritage (2003) and its Effect on the Resilience of the Olonkho Epic Tradition.” Epic Studies Vol. 3. https://nauchtrud.com/4311/20200727095611154253 
  • 2017. “Ethnodoxology in the Orality Movement: Training for Arts Engagement with Oral Learners.” In Orality and Theological Training in the 21st Century, edited by  Jay Moon. Digi-books.
  • 2015. “The Great Misconception: The ‘Universal Language’ of Worship.” Worship Leader, October 7, 2015.
  • 2015. “Russia, Siberia,” in A Basic Music Library: Essential Scores and Sound Recordings, Vol. 2, compiled by the Music Library Association. Chicago, IL: American Library Association.
  • 2015. “Evangelical Engagement with Ethnodoxology: Toward a Vision of Worship from Every People and Tongue.”In Evangelicals around the World: A Global Handbook for the 21st Century, edited by Brian C. Stiller, Todd M. Johnson, Karen Stiller, and Mark Hutchinson. Nashville, TN: Thomas Nelson.
  • 2014. “Russia, Siberia,” in A Basic Music Library: Essential Scores and Sound Recordings, Vol. 2, compiled by Daniel F Boomhower and Liza Vick; Music Library Association. Chicago, IL: American Library Association. (4th edition published in 2018)
  • 2014. Schrag, Brian with Robin Harris. “Ethnodoxology’s Time is Here: How Engaging Local Artists Can Expand God’s Kingdom.” Lausanne Global Analysis 3:1 (January).
  • 2014. Guest-editor for the September/October edition of the journal Mission Frontiers on the topic of “Ethnodoxology” – https://www.missionfrontiers.org/issue/archive/ethnodoxology.
  • 2013. Guest editor and translator for GIAL Electronic Notes Series Volume 7 Number 3: A Festschrift for Eduard Alekseyev.
  • 2013. Krabill, James R., gen. ed.; Frank Fortunato, Robin P. Harris, and Brian Schrag, eds. Worship and Mission for the Global Church: An Ethnodoxology Handbook. Pasadena: William Carey Library.
  • Review of 2-disc set of DVDs filmed and produced by Misha Maltzev and Keith Howard. “Siberia: At the Centre of the World—Music, Dance  and Ritual in Sakha-Yakutia and Buryatia.” Worlds of Music (new series) 1 (2): 157-159. https://www.jstor.org/stable/24318131
  • 2012. “’Who Worship as They Suffer’—Songs Contemplating Suffering and Persecution.” In Sorrow and Blood: Christian Mission in Contexts of Suffering, Persecution, and Martyrdom, edited by William D. Taylor, Antonia van der Meer, and Reg Reimer. Pasadena, CA: William Carey Library.
  • 2012. Sitting “Under the Mouth”: Decline and Revitalization in the Sakha Epic Tradition Olonkho. (PhD Dissertation, University of Georgia Athens).
  • 2010. “From Isolation to Community of Practice: Lessons learned in the founding of the International Council of Ethnodoxologists.” Connections 9 (2-3).
  • 2009. “The Great Misconception: Why music is not a universal language.”  Worship Leader Magazine (Nov/Dec 2009).
  • 2007. “Interview with Composer Konstantin Zhigulin.” Radix 33(1).
  • 2007. “Contextualization: Understanding the Intersections of Form and Meaning” (English version). EthnoDoxology Journal  3(4).
  • 2006. “Love in Siberia: A Musician Friend for Life.” In All the World is Singing: Glorifying God through the Worship Music of the Nations, edited by Frank Fortunato with Paul Neeley and Carol Brinneman. Tyrone: GA.
  • 2000. “Dreaming in Sakha.” EM News 9:2.
  • 1999. Book review: “Disharmony in the 11:00 hour.” EM News 8:3.
  • 1998. With Vera Ponomar. “I love their songs – take me to these people.” EM News 7:4.

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