Liora Bresler
Professor Emerita, Curriculum & Instruction
Contact
1310 S. 6th Street
(mail code 708)
(UIUC Campus Mail) Champaign, IL 61820
Topics
Biography
Bresler’s interdisciplinary work focuses on the arts and qualitative research methodology. In her various editorship roles in books and special issues of academic journals, she has sought to bring together intellectual communities across arts disciplines and cultures to address key areas, for example, early childhood, curriculum and cultural context in her co-edited book, The Arts in Children’s Lives (Bresler & Thompson, 2002; Kluwer); and embodiment in education in her book Knowing Bodies, Moving Mind, (Bresler, 2004, Kluwer).
Establishing new venues for interaction across disciplinary borders, Bresler founded, with Tom Barone and Gene Glass, the International Journal of Education and the Arts (2000-), and has established a book series for Springer that encompasses the various arts education domains (2002-present). Her International Handbook of Research in Arts education (Bresler, Springer, 2007), a project with 100+ contributors from 40+ countries, has identified 13 major areas (e.g., Curriculum; Evaluation; Creativity; Child Culture; Informal Learning; Social Issues; Technology; Spirituality) where each section features scholars from the respective fields of arts education to address disciplinary perspectives on this area.
Beyond her writing, teaching and service at the university of Illinois, her positions of visiting professorship in various countries have facilitated closer research interactions with faculty and doctoral students internationally. Visiting professorships include the Hedda Anderson Professorship at Lund University (2011-2015); Stockholm University (2008-2010); Professor II at Stord/Haugesund University College in Norway (2007-present); and Honorary Professor at the Hong Kong Institute of Education (2009-present).
Key Professional Appointments
- Professor Emerita, Curriculum and Instruction, University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign
Awards, Honors, Associations
SIG - Arts and Learning Outstanding Achievement in Arts & Learning Award, American Educational Research Association, 2021
Fulbright Specialist Program Award, United States Department of State, 2013
Research & Service
Trained as a pianist and a musicologist, with a doctorate in Education from Stanford, Bresler has focused inter-disciplinary work on visual arts, music, dance and drama curricula in K-12 schools, studying both “ordinary” (e.g., NEA study, 1987-1990), and exemplary (e.g., Getty/College Board, 1996/7) schools, as well as cultural centers as spaces for experiential learning. A related area of scholarship is qualitative research methodology and what the arts can teach researchers in terms of engagement, perception, conceptualization, and communication. A recent interest centers on faculty’s work and lived experience in higher education, including educational, academic entrepreneurship in diverse disciplines, and visions and missions of professors as those interact with the structure and ethos of academia.
Based on these studies, Bresler has published 120+ papers and chapters in leading journals, books and handbooks. The impact of her work has resulted in a number of honors including a National Art Education Association Distinguished Fellow (2010), Outstanding Recognition Award by the American Alliance for Theatre and Education (2007), and the Ziegfeld Award for distinguished international leadership in art education by USSEA (2007). Her work has been translated into German, French, Spanish, Portuguese, Slovenian, Lithuanian, Hebrew, Chinese, and Korean, and she has given 40+ keynotes and 100+ invited talks in 30+ countries in the North and South Americas, Europe, Asia, Australia and Africa.
Publications
Bresler, L. (2022). The form, rhythm, and orchestration of an academic career: Cultivating and navigating inner compasses within institutional terrains. Research Studies in Music Education, 44(1), 5-20. link >
Bresler, L. (2019). Wondering in the dark: The generative power of unknowing in the arts and in qualitative inquiry. In N. K. Denzin, & M. D. Giardina (Eds.), Qualitative Inquiry at a Crossroads: Political, Performative, and Methodological Reflections (pp. 80-95). Taylor and Francis. link >
Matsunobu, K., & Bresler, L. (2019). Music Education Research. In G. W. Noblit (Ed.), Oxford Research Encyclopedia of Education Oxford University Press. link >
Bresler, L. (2018). Composing a Beautiful Life: Homage to Tina. International Journal of Education and the Arts, 19(1.11). link >
Bresler, L. (2018). Foreword: Collaborative journeys across pedagogical cultures: Attunement and the interplay of knowing and unknowing. In Musician-Teacher Collaborations: Altering the Chord (pp. ix-xv). Taylor and Francis. link >
Bresler, L. (2017). Aesthetic-Based Research as Pedagogy: The Interplay of Knowing and Unknowing toward Expanded Seeing. In P. Leavy (Ed.), Handbook of Arts-Based Research Guilford Press.
Bresler, L. (2016). Interdisciplinary, intercultural travels: Mapping a spectrum of research(er) experiences. In P. Burnard, E. Mackinlay, & K. Powell (Eds.), The Routledge International Handbook of Intercultural Arts Research (pp. 321-332). Taylor and Francis Inc.. link >
Atkins, L., Martinez-Moreno, J. E., Patil, L., Andrews, K. J., Wu, M. S., Dutta, D., Hug, B., & Bresler, L. (2015). Fostering innovative skills within the classroom: A qualitative analysis from interviews with 60 innovators. ASEE Annual Conference and Exposition, Conference Proceedings, 122nd ASEE Annual Conference and Exposition: Making Value for Society(122nd ASEE Annual Conference and Exposition: Making Value for...). link >
Bresler, L. (2015). Beyond methods: lessons from the arts to qualitative research. (Perspectives in music and music education; No. 10). Malmö Academy of Music.
Bresler, L. (2014). Inquiry, multidisciplinary languages, and connections: In the context of qualitative research methodology. E-Learning and Digital Media, 11(5), 454-470. link >
Bresler, L., & Matsunobu, K. (2014). Qualitative Research in Music Education: Concepts, Goals and Characteristics. In C. M. Conway (Ed.), The Oxford Handbook of Qualitative Research in American Music Education Oxford University Press. link >
Bresler, L. (2014). Teaching Qualitative Research Experientially and Aesthetically. In C. M. Conway (Ed.), The Oxford Handbook of Qualitative Research in American Music Education Oxford University Press. link >
Fleming, M., Bresler, L., & O'Toole, J. (2014). Introduction. In The Routledge International Handbook of the Arts and Education (pp. 1-6). Taylor and Francis Inc.. link >
Fleming, M., Bresler, L., & O'Toole, J. (2014). The Routledge International Handbook of the Arts and Education. Taylor and Francis Inc. link >
Bresler, L. (2013). Academic intellectual entrepreneurs: Interdisciplinary innovation in university settings. In L. Book, & D. Phillips (Eds.), Creativity and Entrepreneurship: Changing Currents in Education and Public Life (pp. 18-25). Edward Elgar Publishing. link >
Bresler, L. (2013). Afterward: One Book, 16 Chapters, Four Hats, and a Compelling Journey. In C-H. Lum (Ed.), Contextualized Practices in Arts Education: An International Dialogue on Singapore (pp. 441-443). (Education Innovation Series). Springer. link >
Bresler, L., & Andrews, K. (2013). Editorial. International Journal of Education and the Arts, 14(Special Issue 1.1), 1-6.
Bresler, L. (2013). The Spectrum of Distance: Empathic Understanding and the Pedagogical Power of the Arts. In B. White, & T. Constantino (Eds.), Aesthetics, Empathy and Education Peter Lang Publishing. link >
Nichols, J. B., Bresler, L., Andrews, K., Chen, W. R., Cronenberg, S., Harris, H., Houmann, A., Matsunobu, K., Murray-Tiedge, D., & Smith, T. D. (2013). In Memory of Susan Noffke. International Journal of Education & the Arts, 14(1), 1-13. [14].
Bresler, L. (2012). University Professors and the Entrepreneurial Spirit. In G. E. McPherson, & G. F. Welch (Eds.), The Oxford Handbook of Music Education (Vol. 2, pp. 600-606). Oxford University Press. link >
Bresler, L. (2011). ARTS-BASED RESEARCH AND DRAMA EDUCATION. In Key Concepts in Theatre/Drama Education (pp. 321-326). Brill.
Sefton-Green, J., Thomson, P., Jones, K., & Bresler, L. (2011). Introduction. In J. Sefton-Green, P. Thomson, K. Jones, & L. Bresler (Eds.), The Routledge International Handbook of Creative Learning (pp. 1-8). Taylor and Francis. link >
Sefton-Green, J., & Bresler, L. (2011). Theories and histories: Creative learning and its contexts. In The Routledge International Handbook of Creative Learning (pp. 9-14). Taylor and Francis.
Sefton-Green, J., Thomson, P., Jones, K., & Bresler, L. (Eds.) (2011). The Routledge International Handbook of Creative Learning. Taylor and Francis. link >
Bresler, L. (2010). Aesthetic Education Research. In C. Kridel (Ed.), Encyclopedia of Curriculum Studies (pp. 13-16). SAGE Publishing. link >
Bresler, L. (2010). Teachers as audiences: Exploring educational and musical values in youth performances. Journal of New Music Research, 39(2), 135-145. link >
Bresler, L. (2009). Research education shaped by musical sensibilities. British Journal of Music Education, 26(1), 7-25. link >
Bresler, L. (2009). University Faculty as Intellectual Entrepreneurs: Vision, Experimental Learning, and Animation. Visual Arts Research, 35(1), 12-23.
Costantino, T. E., & Bresler, L. (2009). Assessment in Schools – Creative Subjects. In International Encyclopedia of Education, Third Edition (pp. 262-267). Elsevier. link >
Kan, K. H., Bresler, L., & Thompson, C. M. (2009). Learning With Tina and Liora: Balancing Centripetal and Centrifugal Forces. Visual Arts Research, 35(2), 67-71.
Thompson, C. M., Bresler, L., & Costantino, T. E. (2009). Curriculum in the Arts. In International Encyclopedia of Education, Third Edition (pp. 423-427). Elsevier. link >
Bresler, L. (2008). The Live/d Performance of Scholarship: Shared Structures and Ethos in Music and Research. In L. K. Thompson, & M. R. Campbell (Eds.), Diverse Methodologies in the Study of Music Teaching and Learning (Advances in Music Education Research). Information Age Publishing Inc..
Bresler, L. (2008). The Music Lesson. In J. G. Knowles, & A. L. Cole (Eds.), Handbook of the Arts in Qualitative Research: Perspectives, Methodologies, Examples, and Issues (pp. 226-238). SAGE Publishing. link >
Bresler, L. (Ed.) (2007). International Handbook of Research in Arts Education. (Springer International Handbooks of Education; Vol. 16). Springer. link >
Bruner, J. S., & Bresler, L. (2007). Postcards from “A World Made Possible”: Excerpts from Virtual Conversations. In L. Bresler (Ed.), International Handbook of Research in Arts Education (pp. 667-670). (Springer International Handbooks of Education; Vol. 16). Springer. link >
Bresler, L. (2006). Embodied narrative inquiry: A methodology of connection. Research Studies in Music Education, 27(1), 21-43. link >
Bresler, L., & Stake, R. E. (2006). Qualitative Research Methodology in Music Education. In R. Colwell (Ed.), MENC Handbook of Research Methodologies Oxford University Press.
Bresler, L. (2006). Toward Connectedness: Aesthetically Based Research. Studies in Art Education, 48(1), 52-69. link >
Bresler, L. (2005). Music and the intellect: Perspectives, interpretations, and implications for education. Phi Delta Kappan, 87(1), 24-31. link >
Bresler, L. (2005). What musicianship can teach educational research. Music Education Research, 7(2), 169-183. link >
Bresler, L. (2004). Dancing the Curriculum: Exploring the Body and Movement in Elementary Schools. In L. Bresler (Ed.), Knowing Bodies, Moving Minds: Towards Embodied Teaching and Learning (pp. 127-151). (Landscapes: the Arts, Aesthetics, and Education; Vol. 3). Springer. link >
Bresler, L. (2004). Knowing Bodies, Moving Minds: Towards Embodied Teaching and Learning. (Landscapes: the Arts, Aesthetics, and Education; Vol. 3). Springer. link >
Bresler, L. (2004). Metodología de investigación cualitativa: Prestando atención a la música escolar como género en sus micro y macro contextos. Revista Electronica Complutense de Investigacion Musical, 1.
Bresler, L. (2004). Prelude. In L. Bresler (Ed.), Knowing Bodies, Moving Minds: Towards Embodied Teaching and Learning (pp. 7-11). (Landscapes: the Arts, Aesthetics, and Education; Vol. 3). Springer. link >
Bresler, L. (2002). HARRY BROUDY 1905–98. In L. Bresler, D. Cooper, & J. Palmer (Eds.), Fifty Modern Thinkers on Education: From Piaget to the Present Day (pp. 64-69). Routledge. link >
Bresler, L. (2002). Harry broudy on the cognitive merits of music education: Implications for research and practice of arts curriculum. Arts Education Policy Review, 103(3), 17-27. link >
Bresler, L., & Ardichvili, A. (2002). Introduction: Personal and Institutional Contexts for International Education Research. In L. Bresler, & A. Ardichvili (Eds.), Research in International Education: Experience, Theory, and Practice (Counterpoints). Peter Lang Publishing.
Bresler, L. (2002). Out of the trenches: The joys (and risks) of cross-disciplinary collaborations. Bulletin of the Council for Research in Music Education, (152), 17-39.
Bresler, L. (2002). Research: A Foundation for Arts Education Advocacy. In R. Colwell, & C. Richardson (Eds.), The New Handbook of Research on Music Teaching and Learning: A Project of the Music Educators National Conference (pp. 1066-1086). Oxford University Press.
Bresler, L., & Ardichvili, A. (Eds.) (2002). Research in International Education: Experience, Theory, and Practice. (Counterpoints). Peter Lang Publishing.
Bresler, L. (2002). School Art as a Hybrid Genre: Institutional Contexts for Art Curriculum. In L. Bresler, & C. M. Thompson (Eds.), The Arts in Children’s Lives: Context, Culture, and Curriculum (pp. 169-183). Kluwer Academic Publishers. link >
Bresler, L., & Thompson, C. M. (Eds.) (2002). The Arts in Children’s Lives: Context, Culture, and Curriculum. Springer. link >
Bresler, L. (2002). The Interpretive Zone in International Qualitative Research. In L. Bresler, & A. Ardichvili (Eds.), Research in International Education: Experience, Theory, and Practice (Counterpoints). Peter Lang Publishing.
Palmer, J., Bresler, L., & Cooper, D. (Eds.) (2002). Fifty Major Thinkers on Education: From Confucius to Dewey. Routledge. link >
Palmer, J., Bresler, L., & Cooper, D. (Eds.) (2002). Fifty Modern Thinkers on Education: From Piaget to the Present Day. Routledge. link >
Bresler, L. (2001). Harry Broudy's aesthetics and music education. Research Studies in Music Education, 17(1), 42-53. link >
Barone, T., & Bresler, L. (2000). International Journal of Education and the Arts. Research Studies in Music Education, 15(1), 71. link >
Bresler, L., Destefano, L., Feldman, R., & Garg, S. (2000). Artists-in-Residence in Public Schools: Issues in Curriculum, Integration, Impact. Visual Arts Research, 26(1), 13-29.
Bresler, L. (2000). The relationships of school art, national goals, and multilayered cultures. Arts Education Policy Review, 101(5), 3-8. link >
Bresler, L. (1999). The Hybridization and Homogenization of School Art: Institutional Contexts for Elementary Art Specialists. Visual Arts Research, 25(2), 25-37.
Bresler, L. (1998). Arts Education Policy in Latin America: Introduction. Arts Education Policy Review, 99(4), 17. link >
Bresler, L. (1998). “Child Art,” “Fine Art,” and “Art for Children”: The Shaping of School Practice and Implications for Change. Arts Education Policy Review, 100(1), 3-10. link >
Bresler, L. (1998). Editorial. Research Studies in Music Education, 11(1), 1. link >
Bresler, L. (1998). Introduction. Arts Education Policy Review, 99(3), 8-9. link >
Bresler, L. (1998). Research, Policy, and Practice in Arts Education: Meeting Points for Conversation. Arts Education Policy Review, 99(5), 9-15. link >
Bresler, L. (1998). The genre of school music and its shaping by meso, micro, and macro contexts. Research Studies in Music Education, 11(1), 2-18. link >
Bresler, L., Wasser, J. D., & Hertzog, N. (1997). Casey at the Bat: a hybrid genre of two worlds. Research in Drama Education: The Journal of Applied Theatre and Performance, 2(1), 87-106. link >
Bresler, L. (1997). Introduction to the symposium on arts education in Scandinavia. Arts Education Policy Review, 99(1), 10. link >
Bresler, L. (1996). Basic and applied qualitative research in music education. Research Studies in Music Education, 6(1), 5-17. link >
Bresler, L., Wasser, J. D., Hertzog, N. B., & Lemons, M. (1996). Beyond the lone ranger researcher: Team work in qualitative research. Research Studies in Music Education, 7(1), 13-27. link >
Bresler, L. (1996). Introduction to the symposium on arts education in other cultures. Arts Education Policy Review, 97(4), 10-11. link >
Bresler, L. (1996). Introduction to the Symposium on Arts Education Policy in Canada. Arts Education Policy Review, 97(6), 13-14. link >
Bresler, L. (1996). Traditions and change across the arts: Case studies of arts education. International Journal of Music Education, 27(1), 24-35. link >
Wasser, J. D., & Bresler, L. (1996). Working in the interpretive zone: Conceptualizing collaboration in qualitative research teams. Educational Researcher, 25(5), 5-15. link >
Bresler, L., & Davidson, J. (1995). ARTS AND KNOWLEDGE: A DISCUSSION. Educational Theory, 45(1), 63-70. link >
Bresler, L. (1995). Introduction to the Symposium on the Integration of the Arts into the Curriculum: Part 1. The United States. Arts Education Policy Review, 96(5), 12-13. link >
Bresler, L. (1995). Introduction to the Symposium on the Integration of the Arts into the Curriculum: Part 2. Experiences in other Countries. Arts Education Policy Review, 97(1), 9-10. link >
Bresler, L. (1995). The Subservient, Co-Equal, Affective, and Social Integration Styles and their Implications for the Arts. Arts Education Policy Review, 96(5), 31-37. link >
Bresler, L. (1994). Imitative, Complementary, and Expansive: Three Roles of Visual Arts Curricula. Studies in Art Education, 35(2), 90-104. link >
Bresler, L. (1994). Music in a Double Bind: Instruction by Non-Specialists in Elementary Schools. Arts Education Policy Review, 95(3), 30-36. link >
Bresler, L. (1994). Zooming in on the Qualitative Paradigm in Art Education: Educational Criticism, Ethnography, and Action Research. Visual Arts Research, 20(1), 1-19.
Bresler, L. (1993). Teacher Knowledge and Scholarly Discourse in the Visual Arts: Drawing on Phenomenology, Case Study, and Action Research. Visual Arts Research, 19(1), 30-46.
Bresler, L. (1993). The social organization of achievement: A case-study of a music theory class. The Curriculum Journal, 4(1), 37-58. link >
Bresler, L. (1993). Three Orientations to Arts in the Primary Grades: Implications for Curriculum Reform. Arts Education Policy Review, 94(6), 29-34. link >
Bresler, L. (1992). Dance Education in Elementary Schools. Design For Arts in Education, 93(5), 13-20. link >
Bresler, L. (1992). Visual art in primary grades: A portrait and analysis. Early Childhood Research Quarterly, 7(3), 397-414. link >
Stake, R. E., Bresler, L., & Mabry, L. (1991). Custom and cherishing: the arts in elementary schools: studies of U.S. elementary schools portraying the ordinary problems of teachers teaching music, drama, dance, and the visual arts in 1987-1990. University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign.