Klisala Harrison

Klisala Harrison is an Adjunct Professor in the Department of Philosophy, History and Art Studies at the University of Helsinki. She holds a Ph.D. in Ethnomusicology and Musicology from York University (2008) and is affiliated with the Helsinki Inequality Initiative (INEQ) and the Helsinki Institute of Sustainability Science (HELSUS). She supervises doctoral candidates in the Gender, Culture, and Society program and the History and Cultural Heritage program.

Her research focuses on ethnomusicology with emphasis on Indigenous Arctic cultures, urban poverty, and sustainability. Key interests include Sámi theatre, music in marginalized communities, and the intersection of music with environmental justice and human rights. She has led projects such as 'Music for Health and Well-being in Indigenous Arctic Cultures' (2016-2021) and 'Digital Indigenous Cultures of Music and Sound' (2017).

Notable awards include Academy of Finland funding (2016-2019) and the Applied Ethnomusicology Section Paper/Project Prize (2010). Her work bridges applied research methodologies with community-based practices, emphasizing ethical collaboration and cultural preservation.

Harrison has supervised three doctoral theses and actively participates in academic activities including organizing symposia on social power and well-being, delivering keynote lectures on Arctic music and climate futures, and contributing to media discussions on music's role in refugee integration.