In the following interview with mdw Magazine, Ursula Hemetek—former head of the Department of Folk Music Research and Ethnomusicology and founder of the Music and Minorities Research Centre (MMRC)—joins us together with the department’s current head Marko Kölbl to look back upon its eventful history, share insights on current developments, and discuss present-day political challenges.

The goal of a truly diverse university is a lofty one. Making people fully aware of deep-seated patterns of thought and action as well as structural discrimination and both inclusionary and exclusionary criteria (in contexts such as entrance exams), calling these into question, and opening up new perspectives—all this and more plays a central role where diversity is concerned.