Arts universities found to have significant societal role in promoting social sustainability

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In her doctoral research, Outi Niemensivu explores how arts universities' principles of internationalization and social sustainability intersect and are realized in local, intercultural contexts.

Niemensivu has studied how higher music education institutions within arts universities promote social well-being, diversity, inclusion, justice and social cohesion through engaging with difference. In her dissertation, she analyzes the activities at Uniarts Helsinki and the University of Music and Performing Arts Graz.

As part of their societal mission, arts universities have the potential to positively impact the interaction and sense of belonging among people with different cultural backgrounds. However, Niemensivu's research highlights that music education needs to evolve in order to support social sustainability. This requires strategic changes, including by questioning the dominant position of Western classical music in higher music education.

"Traditional music education needs fresh perspectives to operate in a socially sustainable way. It's important to increase collaboration with local communities and other stakeholders to achieve genuine change," Niemensivu states.

At the Sibelius Academy, the concept of social sustainability is more familiar than at the University of Music and Performing Arts Graz, where the proportion of international students is significantly higher. Niemensivu notes that social sustainability as a whole has been relatively under-researched.

In the study, the Sibelius Academy's Global Music Programme stands out, but otherwise, socially sustainable internationalization is fairly fragmented. Both universities aspire to engage closely with society, but progress is slow. Niemensivu suggests that a large number of international students might even hinder the implementation of social sustainability.

"Students who have come to Finland or elsewhere from abroad have invested time and money into succeeding in their studies, and they may not have the enthusiasm or energy to engage, for example, with local intercultural communities," Niemensivu explains.

In her research, Niemensivu observes that while arts universities aim to foster diversity, the student body remains quite homogeneous in practice. For instance, there are only a few students with African heritage at both universities. The Sibelius Academy's Global Music Programme breaks with the tradition of expecting students to be familiar with the Western musical tradition and, for example, to be able to read music.

"In addition to global music, offering the possibility to study popular music might bring the desired diversity to higher music education. It is crucial that all students learn how to promote social sustainability during their studies," says Niemensivu.

More information: Outi Niemensivu, Internationalization of Arts Universities—Towards Social Sustainability

Provided by University of the Arts Helsinki