Dr. Gabrielle Cornish

Biography

Gabrielle Cornish is an Assistant Professor in Musicology at the Mead Witter School of Music, University of Wisconsin. Her research focuses on Musicology and Ethnomusicology, with specific interests in Eastern Europe and the Soviet Union. Cornish’s work explores the interplay between sound, technology, and geopolitics during the twentieth century, particularly how sound is mediated in individual and state experiences of socialism. Currently, she is on research leave as a Fellow with the American Council of Learned Societies, working on her monograph titled 'Socialist Noise: Sound Soviet Identity Under Stalin', which investigates how the Soviet government strategically utilized sound and music to support socialist ideologies. Additionally, her project 'Sounds of the End of the World: Cold War Epistemologies and the Sonic Imaginary' examines the relationship between acoustics, technology, and knowledge production in the context of U.S.-Soviet interactions. Besides her academic endeavors, Cornish enjoys sharing her research with the public through articles and appearances on platforms such as Slate, Washington Post, and NBC’s Nightly News. She is also affiliated with the Center for Russia, East Europe, and Central Asia and offers guidance to prospective graduate students interested in sound, media, technology studies, and Cold War narratives.

Research Interests