Honorary Associate Professor Robert Burns PhD is a former professional musician who has performed with Pete Townsend of The Who and with David Gilmour of Pink Floyd, among others. He lectured in the Department of Music, Theatre and Performing Arts (now the School of Performing Arts) at the University of Otago.
His first monograph, Transforming Folk: Innovation and Tradition in English Folk Rock was published by Manchester University Press in 2012, and he has published articles and book chapters on English/UK identity represented in folk rock as well as in the Journal of Military History in which he discusses issues of class and music during World War I. Burns has several publications on German reunification and its effect on German identity reflected in the country’s popular music since 2004. His second monograph, Experiencing Progressive Rock: A Listener’s Guide was published by Rowman and Littlefield in June 2018.
He is still active giving public lectures and promoting the University of Otago and the School of Performing Arts.