Andrew Carnie is professor of linguistics at the University of Arizona, where he specializes the syntax of the Celtic languages. He also teaches a General Education class in folk dance and is a affiliated faculty member of the Applied Intercultural Arts Graduate Ph.D. Program. When he was younger and fitter he danced with various performance groups around the country and he now runs the Shala Folk Dance club in Tucson which offers hybrid in-person/zoom classes every Tuesday.

He is perhaps best well-known in the international folk dance community for his documentary website folkdancemusings.blogspot.com. In spring of 2023 he was recognized with an honorary lifetime membership in the National Folk Organization for his work in documenting folk dance.