IJCM Conversations

#6 - Music and Peace Building with Gillian Howell

Alicia de Bánffy-Hall & Roger Mantie Season 2 Episode 6

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0:00 | 28:40

In this conversation, Dr. Gillian Howell discusses her extensive work in community music, focusing on its impact on social justice, peace building, and the well-being of communities. She shares her journey from her early involvement in community music to her research on music's role in supporting refugee children and her experiences in conflict-affected areas like East Timor. Gillian reflects on the importance of critical self-reflection in her practice and the evolving nature of her research, particularly in the context of music as a tool for dialogue and conflict resolution.

Our guest: Gillian Howell is a musician, researcher, and educator working at the intersection of participatory arts, education, and social development. With over 20 years of experience, she has used music to connect communities around the world, from remote Indigenous communities to classrooms, refugee settings, and post-war regions. Her work combines performance, facilitation, composition, and community engagement, while her research explores how music can contribute to social and cultural change. Dr. Gillian Howell is a Senior Research Fellow at the Faculty of Fine Arts and Music at the University of Melbourne.

Take a look at Gillian Howell’s articles in the IJCM here


More information about the International Journal of Community Music


This podcast series is hosted by Alicia de Banffy-Hall and Roger Mantie and produced by Laurie Hall.