Aaron S. Allen

Aaron S. Allen is Associate Professor of Musicology in the School of Music and Director of the Environment & Sustainability Program in the Department of Geography, Environment and Sustainability at the University of North Carolina at Greensboro. With dual expertise in music and environmental studies, Dr. Allen bridges disciplines through his pioneering work in ecomusicology, exploring the complex relationships between music, culture, and nature. His leadership extends across multiple institutional initiatives focused on sustainability education and practice, reflecting his commitment to integrating academic scholarship with real-world environmental challenges.

Dr. Allen's educational background reflects his interdisciplinary approach:

• Ph.D. in Music, Harvard University (2007)
• A.M. in Music, Harvard University (2002)
• B.A. in Music, Tulane University (1999)
• B.S. in Ecological Studies, Tulane University (1999)

Dr. Allen's research primarily focuses on ecomusicology, an emerging field that examines the relationships between music, culture, and the natural environment. His work spans theoretical foundations, historical reception studies (particularly of Beethoven in 19th-century Italy), and practical applications of sustainability through music. He has made significant contributions to defining and developing ecomusicology as a legitimate academic discipline, exploring both anthropocentric and ecocentric perspectives on music and environment. His research addresses the climate crisis, sustainability education, and the role of humanities in environmental challenges, with particular attention to how sound and music can deepen our understanding of ecological issues and inspire action.

Dr. Allen's publications reveal a clear trajectory from foundational theoretical work to increasingly applied and urgent environmental concerns. His early work helped establish ecomusicology as a field, while more recent publications directly address the Anthropocene, climate crisis, and practical applications of sustainability principles. The interdisciplinary nature of his scholarship connects musicology with environmental science, philosophy, education, and activism, demonstrating how humanities perspectives are essential to addressing ecological challenges. His work consistently bridges theoretical frameworks with practical applications, whether in academic settings or broader societal contexts.

Dr. Allen has received significant recognition for his scholarly contributions:

• Fellow of the American Academy in Rome (2012)
• Paul Mellon Post-Doctoral Rome Prize for 2011-12
• 2018 Ellen Koskoff Edited Volume Prize from the Society for Ethnomusicology for 'Current Directions in Ecomusicology'
• Two-time Udall Scholar for environmental leadership

As an academic leader, Dr. Allen has made substantial contributions to sustainability education at UNCG and beyond. Before becoming Program Director in 2015, he served as UNCG's first Academic Sustainability Coordinator, working with faculty to incorporate sustainability into the curriculum. He created foundational courses like 'Introduction to Sustainability Studies' and 'Sustainable Campus Operations,' established the Sustainability Faculty Fellows Program, and helped institutionalize the UNCG Green Fund. Dr. Allen also co-led efforts to create the Department of Geography, Environment, and Sustainability (2018) and the M.S. in Sustainability & Environment (2020). His leadership extends to professional organizations, having co-founded both the Ecocriticism Study Group of the American Musicological Society and the Ecomusicology Special Interest Group of the Society for Ethnomusicology.

Dr. Allen's commitment to experiential learning is evident in his unique travel class combining music and sustainability studies in Italy, offered in odd-numbered years. His personal connection to environmentalism stems from his upbringing in rural Appalachia, where he maintains ties to his family farm and recently built a solar-powered log cabin for his parents, embodying the sustainability principles he teaches and researches.