Overview
This book introduces the concept of activist music research, emphasising action and social responsibility and suggests that music research can be used to promote social and ecological justice. This is discussed in a series of position papers by music researchers who engage in public debate in their various roles - educator, critic, journalist, DJ, producer, promoter - and work with other actors in civil society and culture. The book suggests that we are experiencing an activist turn in music research, evidenced by the growing number of projects and publications discussing inequalities in musical practices and the impact music research can have on these inequalities. This idea is explored in a series of position papers and contemplative texts, where music researchers, music educators, and artistic researchers reflect on how their work and the position they occupy as professionals in society serves eco-social justice and equity. What is the point of studying and teaching music in an age of ecocide, neo(liberal)-colonialism, rampant racial inequities, persistent gender identity and sexual orientation discrimination? What does social and ecological responsibility and sustainability mean in music research? The idea for the book was conceived within the context of Suoni, a non-profit independent research association in Finland founded as a self-organizing and independent network for scholars interested in exploring methods, pedagogics, practices and action for eco-social equity in relation to music and music research.
Full Product Details
Author: Kim Ramstedt (Åbo Akademi University) ,
Susanna Välimäki ,
Kaj Ahlsved ,
Sini Mononen
Publisher: Intellect
Imprint: Intellect Books
Dimensions:
Width: 21.00cm
, Height: 1.40cm
, Length: 14.80cm
Weight: 0.430kg
ISBN: 9781835951255
ISBN 10: 1835951252
Pages: 230
Publication Date: 20 June 2025
Audience:
Professional and scholarly
,
College/higher education
,
Professional & Vocational
,
Postgraduate, Research & Scholarly
Format: Hardback
Publisher's Status: Forthcoming
Availability: Awaiting stock
Author Information
Kim Ramstedt works as assistant professor in musicology at Utrecht University in the Netherlands. His current research explores how the category of race is constructed and addressed in research and other knowledge production around music. Susanna Välimäki is a musicologist who has during their later career become more and more occupied with issues around music, society and sustainability, and the possibilities of activist music research. Välimäki is a Professor of Art Studies and Head of Musicology at the University of Helsinki, Finland, and a founding member of Suoni, a research association for activist music research. PhD Kaj Ahlsved is a music researcher, critic and educator affiliated with Åbo Akademi University in Turku, Finland. He is one of the founding members of research association Suoni. / Sini Mononen is a musicologist and a contemporary art critic from Helsinki, Finland.
