KU School of Music professor receives top researcher award

LAWRENCE — Christopher Johnson, professor of music education & music therapy at the University of Kansas, has been named the 2024 recipient of the National Association for Music Education (NAfME) Senior Researcher Award. 

The award recognizes significant, long-term scholarship in music education. Johnson will receive the award later this month at the 2024 National Biennial NafME Music Research and Teacher Education Conference in Atlanta.

“The NAfME Senior Research Award is the greatest professional honor of my life,” Johnson said. “I cannot tell you how grateful am to KU and all of my colleagues for their endless support over the years that has enabled me to pursue my professional goals.”

Johnson is a highly regarded figure in music education research, having published frequently in the Journal of Research in Music Education (JRME) and other prominent journals, and having presented at national and international conferences for over three decades. 

He has contributed to the U.S. research community through his active participation in the International Society for Music Education (ISME), as well as his leadership roles in NAfME, including service on the JRME editorial board.

Additionally, Johnson’s mentorship has guided many doctoral students toward successful careers in the field, further cementing his legacy as both a scholar and mentor. His commitment to music education research and service has been recognized, exemplified by his leadership in various conferences, symposia and editorial positions at both the national and international levels. 

Johnson has also been the founder and director of the Music Research Institute in the KU School of Music, which finds resources for other School of Music faculty for their research and creativity.

“Johnson plainly cares about the research enterprise,” said Martin Bergee, professor emeritus of music education. “He has a long list of former doctoral students who have gone on to establish successful careers in higher education. Johnson has also unselfishly worked with young faculty at institutions outside of the University of Kansas, where he has worked for 32 years. 

“Johnson does not wait for resources to come to him. As we know, the wait can be long. Instead, he actively pursues research funding and has been more successful than most in our field. To date, he has received 28 grants and contracts.”

To learn more about the award, as well as Johnson’s work, visit the National Association for Music Education’s website.