Music-Therapy Trailblazer to Lead UofM’s College of Communication and Fine Arts  

Pioneering Professor Established PhD in Music Therapy at Indiana University  

May 15, 2024 — An established leader of music therapy known around the world for her research into the link between the arts and well-being will become the new dean of the College of Communications and Fine Arts at the University of Memphis.

Debra Burns, who currently leads the Department of Music and Arts Technology at Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis (IUPUI), specializes in music-based intervention research. She completed five years of postdoctoral training funded by the Walther Cancer Institute and the National Institutes of Health/National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine. In 2023, she was awarded a grant to study the neurological and biopsychosocial pathways in the treatment of chronic pain.

“Besides her extensive administrative experience, Dr. Burns is an internationally renowned scholar in music therapy and health research, including serving as principal investigator on a current $2.4 million NIH U24 grant to explore the impact of music interventions on pain management,” said David Russomanno, Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs and Provost. “She has a compelling vision for advancing the College’s academic portfolio and partnerships, including elevating the importance of the arts in well-being.”

In addition to her academic experience as a pioneer in music therapy and research, Burns helped create doctoral programs for music therapy and music technology at IUPUI. While there, she helped double the number of music majors within the department and assisted in the creation of a music technology minor.

“I am excited to be joining the College of Communication and Fine Arts at the University of Memphis,” said Burns. “I look forward to working with the College’s distinguished faculty to improve access and engagement in forward-thinking programs that strengthen students and the community.”

Burns is a board-certified music therapist and a member of the American Music Therapy Association. Among her research endeavors, she has investigated binaural beat technology for post-deployment wellness in soldiers, music therapy intervention to manage compassion fatigue in caregivers and music therapy in palliative care. The five-year, $2.4 million NIH grant is studying integrative models of addressing pain through music.

Burns will begin at the UofM on July 1.

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