Projects for social change
Practice-based research and development
Since 2013, Dr. Siljamäki has been involved in designing and executing projects that enhance pedagogical and theoretical insights at the intersection of art, creativity, and society by collaborating with professionals from various disciplines.
Siljamäki is especially interested in research-based development, emphasising practice-based knowledge, creative practices, and social transformation, in music education and beyond, such as in healthcare settings.
Improvisation for equity and safety in the school community
2023-2026
This ongoing research and development project focuses on learning environments in music education from equity, safety, and holistic (musical) growth perspectives. Read more from the project webpage (in Finnish) or contact the PI-lead (Eeva Siljamäki). The Kone Foundation supports the project.
Publications:
Siljamäki, E. (2023). Sosiaalista kestävyyttä improvisaatiopedagogiikkaa soveltaen [Improvisation pedagogy for social sustainability]. In H. Partti & M-L. Juntunen (eds.) Musiikkikasvattaja muutoksessa [The changing music educator]. DocMus publications, 423-428.
Socially engaged art
2021-2023
The artwork project aimed to train artists in socially engaged arts (SEA), a practice striving to influence and instigate social change through art or artistic processes. The project (2021-2023) was implemented in partnership between five European countries with Erasmus+ funding.
The practical results of the project include a free online platform with resources for executing socially engaged art practices in various contexts (link to Moodle platform). Siljamäki, in collaboration with Kai Lehikoinen, was responsible for developing a research-based curriculum for further education of artists and others interested in SEA as well as an online course titled "Introduction to Socially Engaged Arts (SEA) Practice", which is currently taught by Siljamäki at the University of the Arts Helsinki.
Publications:
Lehikoinen, K. & Siljamäki, E. (2023). Socially Engaged Arts (SEA) Practices: Key Skills and Capabilities. Research in Arts Education, 3, 8-26. https://journal.fi/rae/article/view/130211/89855
Other outputs:
Curriculum guidelines -For a professional development (PD) program on Socially Engaged Arts (SEA) Practices (check out the learning platform below)
Learning platform for socially engaged arts practice https://moodle.uni-t.org/course/view.php?id=74
Online course "Introduction to Socially Engaged Arts (SEA) practice" (2 ECT) > Learning materials and design, co-taught from 2022 onwards / University of the Arts Helsinki.
Plural possibilities of improvisation in music education
2013-2021
This practice-based research project brought together two diverse choral singing and improvisation cases, with Dr Siljamäki as an insider in both. The published book synthesizes the research results and advocates for the role of improvisation pedagogy and safe learning environments in art and wellbeing.
This doctoral dissertation was conducted as part of the ArtsEqual initiative, which was financed by the Academy of Finland's Strategic Research Council.
You can read and upload the dissertation (PDF) "Plural Possibilities of Improvisation in Music Education: An Ecological Perspective on Choral Improvisation and Wellbeing" through the links below.
Publications:
Siljamäki, E. (2021). Plural possibilities of improvisation in music education: an ecological perspective on choral improvisation and wellbeing. Doctoral dissertation, University of the Arts Helsinki. Studia musica 86. http://urn.fi/URN:ISBN:978-952-329-241-3
Siljamäki, E. (2021). Improvisaatio moninaisuus musiikkikasvatuksessa - katsaus tutkimukseen ja tulevaisuuteen [Plurality of improvisation in music education - review of research and the future]. Musiikkikasvatus, 24(1), 90-99.
Siljamäki, E. & Kanellopoulos, P. A. (2020). Mapping visions of improvisation pedagogy in music education research. Research Studies in Music Education, 42(1), 113–139. https://doi.org/10.1177/1321103X19843003
Jansson, S.-M., Westerlund, H. & Siljamäki, E. (2016). Taide sosiaalisena oppimismuotona – opiskelijoiden kokemuksia jännittämisestä [Art as a form of social learning - students experiences of social anxiety]. Aikuiskasvatus 36(1), 37-49. https://journal.fi/aikuiskasvatus/article/view/88473/47650
Siljamäki, E. (2021). Plural possibilities of improvisation in music education: an ecological perspective on choral improvisation and wellbeing. Doctoral dissertation, University of the Arts Helsinki. Studia musica 86. http://urn.fi/URN:ISBN:978-952-329-241-3
Other outputs:
Free Vocal Play is a facilitated creative practice that combines free musical improvisation with principles from improvisational theatre, playful learning, mindfulness, inclusive pedagogy, and pedagogical tact.
