Name

Rena Janßen

University

University of Oldenburg

Institute,

Research Group

Institute of Music and Music Education, Research Cluster on Intersectional Sensitivity

Supervisors

Prof. Dr Mario Dunkel

Room

A09 2-213

Telephone

Email address

rena.janssen@uni-oldenburg.de

Academic CV

Education:

• 2018 – 2021: Master of Education, Leuphana University of Lüneburg, subjects: Music and German
• 2016 – 2017: Erasmus, Stockholm University, subject: Special Education
• 2014 – 2018: Bachelor of Arts, Leuphana University of Lüneburg, subjects: Music and German

Professional experience:

• Since January 2022: Research assistant and doctoral candidate in music education, Institute of Music, Research Cluster on Intersectional Sensitivity, University of Oldenburg
• May 2021 – September 2021: Research Assistant, Institute for Art, Music and their Mediation, Musical Interface Designs: Augmented Creativity and Connectivity, Leuphana University of Lüneburg
• April 2021 – September 2021: Project assistant, buero doering – specialist events agency
• 10/2018 – 03/2021: Student assistant in the field of music, Institute for Art, Music and their Mediation, Leuphana University of Lüneburg
• Nov 2020 – Mar 2021: Student assistant, Centre for the Future of Teacher Training, Competencies for Digitally-Enhanced Individualised Practice, Leuphana University of Lüneburg
• 09/2020 – 10/2020: Working student, conference assistant for the Reeperbahn Festival Conference, Inferno Events GmbH & Co. KG
• June 2020 – August 2020: Intern, Reeperbahn Festival Showcase Conference, Inferno Events GmbH & Co. KG

Teaching activities:

• Summer semester 2022: Music Education and Gender
• Winter semester 2022/23: Inclusion in music education
• Summer semester 2023: Safer spaces in music education

Working title of the PhD project

Safer Spaces in Music Education: Intersectional Perspectives

Abstract

In Germany, there is a growing number of music workshop formats, each of which targets specific groups, such as female*, transgender and non-binary music producers. In these free workshops, participants can learn to produce music, mix tracks or play in a band. These so-called ‘safer spaces’ can serve as a safe haven for certain individuals (Lewis et al., 2015) and provide a space for experience and learning in which participants feel safe and treat one another with sensitivity (Arao & Clemens, 2013). To date, German-language music education and musicology have scarcely engaged empirically with safer spaces in informal and formal music education. This three-year doctoral project aims to bridge this gap by examining the significance of safer spaces from the participants’ perspective and identifying empowerment strategies. To this end, an ethnographic study will be conducted using field visits and interviews. The data will be analysed using, amongst other methods, the intersectional multi-level analysis developed by Gabriele Winker and Nina Degele (2010). Building on this, the thesis will discuss the extent to which ‘safer spaces’ and empowerment practices can be integrated into music teaching.

Publications

• Ahlers, Michael & Janßen, Rena (forthcoming). GarageBand – Analyses of gender stereotypes. In T. Beckmann, T. Ehmke & M. Besser (eds.), Student Research in the Practical Semester. Waxmann.
• Dunkel, Mario; Friedmann, Sophia; Janßen, Rena; Osman, Shanti Suki & Waldvogel, Sophia (forthcoming). Insights into current research projects at the intersection of music education and intersectionality. In: Diskussion Musikpädagogik, Issue 94/22, pp. 17–24.