Paula Clare Harper

Paula Clare Harper is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Music and The College at the University of Chicago. Her research focuses on music, sound, and digital platforms, examining how viral phenomena intersect with gender, fandom, and media mediation. She holds a PhD in Historical Musicology from Columbia University, an MA from the University of Washington, and an AB from the University of Chicago.

Her current book project, Viral Musicking and the Rise of Noisy Platforms, traces the evolution of social media platforms through a sonic lens, analyzing their role in shaping viral culture. She co-edited Taylor Swift: The Star, The Songs, The Fans (2025) and organized the 2021 Taylor Swift Study Day conference. Her work also explores Beyoncé’s visual albums and online fandom dynamics.

Publications include analyses of viral music memes like Rebecca Black’s 'Friday' and ASMR’s sensory appeal, alongside explorations of digital mediation and platform labor dynamics in American Music special issues. Her research bridges musicology, digital humanities, and internet studies.