Dr Karen Loomis

Based in the USA, Karen Loomis conducts construction and craftsmanship analysis of early Irish harps, uncovering the wealth of information these instruments hold in order to help musical instrument makers, musicians, and museums. She has led groundbreaking work studying the harps of Ireland and Scotland, and recently led a project for The Historical Harp Society of Ireland to undertake analysis of the eighteenth-century Hollybrook harp at the National Museum of Ireland. Karen’s expertise is in non-invasive techniques, utilising extensive experience in scientific imaging, and an interdisciplinary background in STEM and music. She studied at the University of Edinburgh, earning a MMus in musical instrument research followed by a PhD in music (organology). She also has a BS in physics from the University of Connecticut, and an MA in astronomy from Wesleyan University.