Mark Parselelo is a creative and cultural specialist with diverse experience in health, culture, and research His interests include intangible cultural heritage, music, workplace diversity, curation, and cultural competency. Over the years, Mark has worked as a researcher and facilitator in higher education in Canada, the United States, Europe, and Africa. His career includes various roles in research projects, such as curator, project manager, intern field research coordinator, performer, and faculty member.

As an educator, Mark has experience as a K-13 Music teacher and Creative Department Head in a Kenyan British Curriculum school, teaching IGCSE, A levels, Edexcel, and International Baccalaureate. He has also taught courses such as Musical Theatre, Music Theory, and Music Technology and presented master classes at Kabarak University, Cape Breton University and Memorial University. In the winter of 2025, Mark launched the first Black Music Traditions course at Cape Breton University. Other educational projects Mark contributed to include creating resources such as learning pathways under the Smithsonian Folkways Recordings and the Center for Sound Communities.

Mark also has experience working with children and seniors in Canada, having been a Child and Youth Care worker and later a Residential Services Coordinator with Brightisle.

Additionally, he has experience in the public health sector as a Client Service Officer, providing medical transportation support under the Labrador Affairs Department, Government of Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada.

Mark’s research focuses on migration and refugee studies, highlighting the lives of refugees and how they navigate daily challenges. This work demonstrates his passion for social integration and understanding of cultural diversity and identities. Additionally, Mark has worked on projects such as The Memorial University Experiential Learning Hub as a content coordinator and The Translation Initiative as a project coordinator under the International Council of Traditional Music and Dance, which translated the Canadian Society of Ethnomusicology and ICTMD Decolonizing statements into 12 languages. Mark’s international collaborations and project experiences have fostered his understanding and appreciation of diverse cultures worldwide.

Mark has presented his work at various panels across the globe, learning from different cultures and traditions. His active research career has led him to present and participate in culturally centred conferences in Africa, Europe, Eurasia, Asia, and Oceania.

Beyond academia, Mark is a talented performer and curator, having performed at venues in Canada, notably The Rooms, Memorial University Convocations, the Folk Festival and the Canadian National Museum of History. Mark aims to help others leverage cultural tools to address their daily challenges at their place of work and attain their career goals.