Dr Tavis is the current Head of Western Music at CHRIST (Deemed to be University) and teaches aural skills, practice techniques, performance anxiety, harmony, history of western music and music pedagogy. His PhD Thesis was entitled, "Sound in Sight: An autoethnographic case study of teaching and learning western music theory"; which led to the publication, "On the Geometric Realisation of Equal Tempered Music". His research interest focuses on interdisciplinary approaches to music teacher education.
Conferences and Publications:
- Monash University 2015 – Doctor of Philosophy (Higher Education – Teacher Education)
- Music teaching and learning across cultures: a phenomenological perspective, Pedagogy of the East and West, 6th International Psychology Congress, Eastern and Western Psychology: Singularity, Diversity and Integration, International Federation of Catholic Universities (IFCU), 3-6th October 2018.
- Interdisciplinary Approaches to Western Harmony. Indiranagar Sangeetha Sabha: International Conference on Music and Dance 2020 (ISS:ICMD 2020) Jan 3-5, 2019.
- Invited Talk: On the Geometric Realisation of Equal Tempered Music, International Conference on Discrete Mathematics (ICDM 2019), 15th Annual Conference of the Academy of Discrete Mathematics and Applications (ADMA) 8-10th June 2019.
- Learner-centred Administration and Research in Music Education, Martin Luther Christian University, Shillong 6-9th July 2019.
- Music as a Lens for Interpreting Experience. Webinar: Music Education’s Role as Cross-Cultural Communication throughout the COVID-19 Pandemic, June 28, 2020.
- Aligning Ethical Outcomes Across Curricula Levels. Institutional-level Training Program, CHRIST University, 8th December 2020.
- Ashton-Bell (2019). On the Geometric Realisation of Equal Tempered Music, Mapana Journal of Sciences. Bangalore, India.
- Ashton-Bell, R.L.T. & Nethsinghe, R. (2025). Chapter 7: The Colour of Music. The Power of Colour. Senarathne, R & Somadeva, R (Eds.). The University of Visual and Performing Arts, Sri Lanka.
- Rawat, S. & Ashton-Bell, R.L.T. (2025). Investigating the Opportunities and Challenges of AI Tools for Inclusive Education among School Teachers in Delhi, NCR. International Conference on AI & New Age Technology: Exploring Innovations, challenges & Sustainable future directions - AINAT 2025, Manav Rachna University. Best Paper Award.
- Ward, J. & Ashton-Bell, R.L.T. (2025). A comparative study of the assessment practices in experiential learning courses in the fine and performing arts in India and the United States. 10th International Symposium on Assessment in Music Education, Kansas State University, United States.
- Rawat, S. & Ashton-Bell, R.L.T. (2025). A Scoping Review of Preservice Teachers’ Knowledge, Attitudes and Practices of Integrating Generative AI in Education. Social Sciences Scholar's Summit: Methodological Excellence in Social Science's Research, CHRIST University, Bangalore.
- Rawat, S & Ashton-Bell, R.L.T. (2025). From Knowing to Doing: A Study on Indian Trainee Teachers’ Use of AI Tools in Teaching and Learning. Second International Research Conference in Education (IRCE 2025). University of Jaffna, Sri Lanka, 14-15 June.
- Rawat, S & Ashton-Bell, R.L.T. (2025). Teaching in the Age of AI: Understanding Knowledge, Attitudes, and Practices (KAP) of Faculty among Higher Education Institutions in India. International conference on global challenges in teacher preparation and training. Tamil Nadu Teachers Education University, 27-28 June.
Conference Organisation:
- Organising Committee Member: Aesthetica 2021 Virtual International Conference on Reimagining the Arts and the Artists, CHRIST University, Bangalore, India, 25-29th January, 2021.
- Co-convenor: Aesthetica 2026: Art in Action. Conference on the intersection of creative practice, pedagogy and the UNSDG, CHRIST University, 5-7th February, 2026.
