Mark Cavanaugh

Mark Cavanaugh, Ph.D., is an Associate Professor in the Department of Conflict Resolution Studies at Nova Southeastern University's Halmos College of Arts and Sciences. He has been at NSU since 1988 as a founding member of the undergraduate faculty, teaching diverse courses in social sciences, sociology, and interdisciplinary honors programs. His expertise spans social theory, conflict resolution, and the intersection of neuroscience with music.

• Ph.D. and M.A. from University of Notre Dame
• B.A. in Literature from Iona College

Dr. Cavanaugh combines academic rigor with artistic contributions, having composed NSU's Alma Mater and Victory March, and founded the NSU Festival Orchestra. His current book project explores how neuroscience shaped Western classical music.

Research trends include interdisciplinary work linking social theory, music sociology, and conflict resolution studies. Recent activities focus on academic engagement through honors courses like The Problem of Consciousness and America at the Dawn of the Atomic Age.

Scientific Awards
• Capstone Grant (1987)
• Zahm Research and Travel Award (1985)
• The Thomas Sullivan Award (1976)

Dr. Cavanaugh advises students in sociology and interdisciplinary programs while maintaining active collaborations with musical institutions like the Bohuslav Martinu Philharmonic through conducting and composition engagements (2014-2018).