MMRC Symposium 2026: Between Research and Activism
Futures of Music and Minority Studies
The Music and Minorities Research Center (MMRC) enters its next phase with the international symposium “Between Research and Activism: Futures of Music and Minority Studies” (February 12–14, 2026, Fanny Hensel Hall and other locations, mdw). Founded in 2019, the MMRC celebrates its seventh anniversary by bringing together researchers, musicians, and non-academics for three days of panels, roundtables, artistic-activist discussions, and musical performances.
The symposium explores research approaches into music and minority communities at the intersection of academic scholarship and socially engaged, activist research. It aims to examine current developments, anticipate future directions, and foster collaborative synergies. Grounded in the MMRC’s core principles – committed research, dialogical knowledge production, and critical reflection on power imbalances – the event emphasizes participatory formats that encourage the active involvement of all attendees.
Symposium and Future Directions
Over three days, the symposium will reflect on recent developments in music and minority research both locally, at the MMRC, internationally. Central to the program is an exploration of the challenges and opportunities at the intersection of research, artistic practice, and social engagement.
The event features a variety of formats that engage both the past and the future. Two roundtables will examine the MMRC’s previous projects with current and former research fellows, highlighting unique contributions of each project as well as shared themes. A key roundtable, moderated by Ursula Hemetek, will bring together the MMRC’s international advisory board—Georgia Curran (University of Sydney), Marko Kölbl (mdw), Svanibor Pettan (University of Ljubljana), Mayco Santaella (Sunway University), and Deborah Wong (University of California, Los Angeles)—to discuss global perspectives on current issues in the field.
Two roundtable discussions will focus on artistic-activist perspectives, including one curated by the NGO Initiative Minderheiten (IM). Additionally, there will be three paper presentation sessions, during which scholars will present their current projects and research. Concerts will present local and global music, and the event will conclude with a collective celebration of music and dance. The symposium “Between Research and Activism: Futures of Music and Minority Studies” thus outlines a future for minority studies that builds on a successful past and leads the MMRC into a new phase of its work through local anchoring and international dialogue.
The international symposium “Between Research and Activism: Futures of Music and Minority Studies” will conclude the project of the same name, aiming to shape the future vision of the Music and Minorities Research Center (MMRC) from 2026 onward.
Programme:
3-Day Programme
Panels, Roundtables & Concerts
➥ Programme
Time and date:
12–14 February 2026
Locations:
mdw – University of Music and Performing Arts Vienna
Fanny-Hensel-Hall
Concert Hall, Future Art Lab
Banquet Hall
Anton-von-Webern-Platz 1, 1030 Vienna
The locations are wheelchair accessible. For questions and support please contact us: mmrc@mdw.ac.at
Cooperation partners:
Supported by the City of Vienna cultural department MA7
