Lee Higgins

Lee Higgins is a Professor and Director of the International Centre of Community Music at York St John University. He has held academic positions at institutions such as Boston University (USA), Liverpool Institute for Performing Arts (UK), and the University of Limerick (Ireland). His research focuses on community music, music education, and applied ethnomusicology, emphasizing participatory arts and social justice. He served as President of the International Society of Music Education (2016-2018) and has led projects like MOVE and Ethno, evaluating music education initiatives globally.

Education: PhD from the Irish Academy of Music and Dance (2006), BA in Creative and Performing Arts from Manchester Metropolitan University (1988), and music diplomas from the West London Institute of Higher Education (1985). His doctoral thesis, Boundary-Walkers: Contexts and Concepts of Community Music, won the 2008 Outstanding Dissertation Award.

Research interests include cultural democracy, music in health and prison settings, and intercultural music exchange. Recent publications explore inclusion in singing education, digital music pedagogy, and grassroots choral practices. His work bridges theory and practice, advocating for equitable access to music experiences.

Key achievements include over 10 authored/co-authored books and reports, leadership in international music education networks, and editorial contributions to journals like the International Journal of Community Music. Current projects focus on the Ethno initiative’s legacy and expanding community music’s global impact.