Stefan Honisch

Picture for Stefan Honisch
Home town
Chemainus
State/Province
British Columbia
Country
Canada
Department
Department of Theatre and Film
Supervisor(s)
Dr. Kirsty Johnston
Year PDF started

Research topic

The aesthetics and politics of touch in musical experience

Research Description

My postdoctoral research examines Helen Keller’s musical legacy as a deafblind woman, shedding new light on her complex social justice commitments, and grappling with the relationship between her musical activism and the frequent exclusion of disabled people from public life. Drawing on Keller's own writings, as well as on contemporaneous newspaper and magazine articles, film footage, and photographs, my study asks how Keller’s first-hand accounts of her musical life contribute to our understanding of her political activism. And, going further, how does Keller’s use of touch to experience music constitute a musical activism that can be understood within the larger context of disability rights? Drawing on relevant scholarship in Disability Studies, Sound Studies, and Musicology, I hope to demonstrate that Keller’s descriptions of knowing music through touch are not merely about compensating for disabilities. Instead, her firsthand accounts of a rich and varied musical life challenge us to rethink the aesthetics and politics of touch in music.

Why did you decide to pursue a postdoctoral fellowship at UBC? Did you consider other opportunities?

I am thrilled to be able to pursue postdoctoral research at UBC because of its innovative approach to fostering dialogue between disability arts and culture, and Disability Studies scholarship. During my graduate studies, I was fortunate to live in St. John's College, a transformative experience which allowed for unique opportunities to participate in interdisciplinary conversations that have shaped my identity as a disabled scholar and musician in lasting ways.

What advice do you have for new postdoctoral fellows?

Find time to attend some of the numerous concerts, exhibitions, and lectures that UBC offers throughout the year.

What do you like to do for fun?

I enjoy reading, playing chess, drawing, and discovering new coffee shops. The Rose Garden is one of my favorite places on campus, and I look forward to going there again.

What is the most enjoyable aspect of your postdoctoral fellowship?

The Banting Postdoctoral Fellowship will allow me both to focus intensively on my research, while exploring opportunities for collaboration and dialogue with colleagues from across a range of disciplines

What are the biggest challenges you have faced, or anticipate facing, in your career?

Some of the biggest challenges I have faced have related to my accessibility needs as a disabled person. I am fortunate to have supportive family, (a special shout-out to my parents, sister, and brother-in-law), several close friends, and colleagues, and to have found community with disabled advocates, educators, and scholars. I am sustained and energized by these relationships and connections.

What does receiving this award mean for your career?

Receiving this award provides me with the chance to carry my research forward in new directions, and to connect my scholarly interests to communities beyond the academy, in which disabled people continue to claim our rights to be seen and heard.

What do you think the next step in your career will be?

My path forward continues to be shaped by my interests in research and music. It is my hope that my career will continue to evolve in ways that allow me to participate both in scholarly work, and in making music.