Karen Burland (PhD, MA, BMus, PGCAP, SFHEA) is Academic Lead for Surfacing Skills and Student Futures, Professor of Applied Music Psychology and Faculty Lead for Employability, Opportunity and Ambition at the University of Leeds. She has previously served a nearly 6-year term as Head of the School of Music.
Karen is a dedicated teacher, advocating student-centred learning to enable the ability to think critically, fostering deep and active engagement in academic work. She has been described ‘a tireless champion for identifying and implementing developments in partnership with students’. She has implemented numerous initiatives with significant impact on student experience: ‘learning with Karen is truly enjoyable, and I feel I have a much better understanding of the field thanks to her teaching methods’.
Karen is a passionate advocate for educational excellence, championing staff development to enhance student education. Karen researches musical identities and their role in musical participation in a variety of contexts; in particular she is concerned with understanding the role of identity in students’ transitions towards hoped-for future selves, seeking to understand how they are motivated, supported and inspired during their studies. She has most recently developed a Musical Identity Measure which has been used internationally to support the professional development of musicians.
Karen is a University Student Education Fellow and is investigating the ways in which undergraduate and postgraduate students engage with, and perceive, employability activities during university and beyond. She has co-authored the university’s new ‘Student Futures and Opportunities’ strategy and is described as ‘a leading light at the University in the field of student employability’ bringing her research expertise to influence the strategic development of a range of activities, including work on Surfacing Skills and Alumni Mentoring. She is currently investigating the ways in which musicians create and support their work in music and the ways in which wellbeing and sense of belonging impact on students’ learning outcomes.