Music, Research, and Activism

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? This collection deals with these questions in the socio-cultural climate of northern Europe in the first quarter of the twenty-first century. The idea was conceived within the context of Suoni, a non-profit independent research association founded in 2017 to advance knowledge about and actions for social and environmental justice within the field of music and in music studies. The authors do not claim to offer exhaustive answers or solutions. Each author is on their own journey exploring how they can sustainably advance justice and equity and use music or music research as a tool for social change. Binding the authors is the desire to explore these questions and unite across practices and traditions to learn and collectively better serve the cause, spinning an activist turn in music research. Kim Ramstedt is a researcher and educator at the University of Helsinki, Finland. Susanna Välimäki is professor of art studies and head of musicology at the University of Helsinki. Kaj Ahlsved is a music researcher, critic, and educator affiliated with Åbo Akademi University in Turku, Finland. Sini Mononen is an Academy Research Fellow (Research Council of Finland) at the University of Helsinki and a contemporary art critic. They are all founding members of Suoni, a research association for activist music research. 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.