Barbara Hillers

Barbara Hillers

Associate Professor, Folklore and Ethnomusicology

she/ella/sie/sí

Education

  • Ph.D., Harvard University, 1997
  • M.Phil, University College Dublin, 1990
  • B.A., The Queen's University of Belfast, 1987

Research interests

  • folk narrative in Ireland and Scotland
  • folklore in medieval Celtic literature
  • the international Child ballad and Gaelic song tradition
  • European narrative charms
  • gender and the articulation of women’s space in folk narrative and song
  • the digitization of traditional folklore archives

Recently taught courses

  • Irish Folklore
  • Folklore and Gender
  • Storytelling Around the World
  • Fear, Anger, and the Internet
  • Folklore Archives in a Digital Age
  • History of Folklore

Awards + Distinctions

  • Irish Research Council and the UK Arts and Humanities Research Council Grant, 2022
  • Indiana University Trustees Teaching Award, 2022

Books

Charms, Charmers & Charming in Ireland
Charms, Charmers & Charming in Ireland

From the Medieval to the Modern

Barbara Hillers, John Carey, Ciarán Ó Gealbháin, Ilona Tuomi
2019

Other publication highlights

  • The Medieval Irish Odyssey. Celtic Studies Publications, Aberystwyth, Wales. (forthcoming 2025)
  • ‘Bhí an saol aoibhinn ait: Cormac mac Airt in Oral Folk Tradition’ In: Matthieu Boyd (eds). Ollam: Studies in Gaelic and Related Traditions in Honor of Tomás Ó Cathasaigh. New York: Rowman & Littlefield., pp.141-159. (2016)
  • “A Night of Storytelling and Years in the ‘-Closet’: The Re-discovery and Restoration of Oidhche Sheanchais, Robert Flaherty’s ‘Lost’ Irish Folklore Film”. (with Natasha Sumner and Catherine McKenna) Folklore, Journal of the Folklore Society, London, 126 :1-19. (2015)
  • A Fond Farewell: In Praise of the Ediphone. Electronic Publication. (2015)
  • “The Medieval Irish Wandering of Ulysses Between Literacy and Orality” In: Ralph O’Connor (eds). Classical Literature and Learning in Medieval Irish Narrative. Matlesham, Suffolk: Boydell & Brewer., pp.84-97 (2014)
  • Seanchas: The Global Gaelic Jukebox, on Digital Archives of Scottish Gaelic. (with Sim Innes) Electronic Publication. (2014)
  • Child’s Children: Ballad Study and its Legacies. (ed with Joseph Harris) Trier: Wissenschaftlicher Verlag Trier. (2012)
  • “Cleas a’ Choin Sholair: Aesop’s Dog Fable in the Poetry of Sìleas na Ceapaich” In: Wilson McLeod et al (eds). Bile ós Chrannaibh: A Festschrift for William Gillies. Ceann Drochaid: Clann Tuirc., pp.195-210. (2010)
  • “The Reception and Assimilation of Continental Literature” In: Julia M. Wright (eds). A Companion to Irish Literature. Malden and Oxford: Wiley-Blackwell., pp.39-56. (2010)
  • Buntús na Gaeilge: Irish for Adult Learners. (with Bettina Kimpton) Electronic Publication. (2008)