Paula Harper
Assistant professor in the Department of Music at the University of Chicago specializing in music and the internet; contributed analysis of online fan practices and queer readings of Taylor Swift.
Best podcasts with Paula Harper
Ranked by the Snipd community
Sep 27, 2025 • 1h 12min
Christa Anne Bentley et al, eds., "Taylor Swift: The Star, The Songs, The Fans" (Routledge, 2025)
In this insightful discussion, Christa Anne Bentley, a musicology professor, shares her expertise on Taylor Swift's acoustic performances. Alongside her, Paula Harper delves into queer interpretations and fan practices, while Kate Galloway explores the pandemic's influence on Swift's music. The trio examines Swift's evolution from teen sensation to adult icon, the intricacies of her public persona, and the impact of gender dynamics in fandom. They also unpack the eco-sonic themes in her recent albums, revealing the multi-layered significance of her artistry.
Sep 27, 2025 • 1h 12min
Christa Anne Bentley et al, eds., "Taylor Swift: The Star, The Songs, The Fans" (Routledge, 2025)
Krista Bentley, an expert in singer-songwriters, Paula Harper, who studies music and the internet, and Kate Galloway, a scholar in ethnomusicology, dissect Taylor Swift's multifaceted career. They explore why Swift's scholarship was delayed compared to peers like Beyoncé, and how her transition from teen star to adult artist highlights her genre adaptability. The trio also discusses Swift's adeptness with social media, the intimate nature of her acoustic sets, and the impact of fandom in addressing environmental issues and navigating gender dynamics.
