Music and social transformations of the present

• Applicant: Professor Dr. Martin Pfleiderer
• Subject Area: Musicology
• Term: since 2025
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 558129316

The international academic network ‘Music and Social Transformations of the Present’ deals with the diverse connections between music and society with regard to various contemporary crisis phenomena and transformation processes. The network focuses on three main topics: the digital transformation of musical life in the spheres of music production, distribution and reception as well as associated economic changes and new musical practices (1); the global, social and political dimensions of music in the context of various transformation processes in Euro-American societies and globally (2); urgent questions in regard to the ecological sustainability of musical life and the role of music in overcoming global ecological crises (3). These thematic priorities will be discussed during six meetings in which both network members and international experts participate. The overarching aim is to theorize changes in music, musical practices and contemporary musical life against the backdrop of current social transformation processes. At the same time, underresearched topics are identified and research projects as well as practical suggestions informing socio-politcial action, ideally shaping the sustainability of musical life, are developed. The international academic network facilitates connecting German-speaking junior researchers as well as increasing the interdisciplinary exchange between researchers working on music and society with the aim to further constructive interdisciplinary debate that results in the expansion of research perspectives. For this reason, researchers at various career stages (doctoral students, post-docs, professors) and from various relevant academic disciplines (musicology, sociology, cultural studies) are deliberately involved in the network. The results and positions of the network will be disseminated into the interdisciplinary discourse, for example through presentations at academic conferences and scientific (online) publications. Also, a general publication, summarizing the results of the debates during meetings, is planned (online open access and print version) as well as a website as to present crucial results to interested publics.

• DFG Programme: Scientific Networks
• Co-Investigator: Dr. Anna Schwenck