Projects
Dr. Siljamäki develops pedagogical and theoretical understanding through research and multiprofessional collaborations. Her research and development projects often focus on developing social learning environments and learning in/through/with the arts in various contexts.
Central themes in her work towards socially sustainable futures are improvisation, collaboration, collaborative and social learning, transformation, social interaction, social learning environments, applied improvisation, art-based methods, multiprofessional collaboration, well-being and socially engaged arts.
2023-2026
Improvisation as transformational momentum - for equity and safety in school community
This ongoing research and development project focuses on learning environments in music education from the perspectives of accessibility, holistic growth and improvising.
The project is supported by the Kone Foundation.
Read more from the project webpage (in Finnish) or contact the PI-lead (Eeva Siljamäki)
Social media: @improvisaatio.muutosvoimana
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.
2023
artwork - expanding professionalism in the arts
The artwork project aimed to train artists for socially engaged arts (SEA), which is a practice striving to influence and instigate social change through art or artistic processes. The Artwork 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 arts 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
2021
Plural possibilities of improvisation in music education - a socio-ecological perspective
Siljamäki brought together two diverse cases of choral singing and improvisation, with herself as an insider in both. In the published book she synthesizes the research results and advocates for the role of improvisation pedagogy and safe learning environments in art and well-being. You can read and upload the book (Pdf) "Plural possibilities of improvisation in music education: an ecological perspective on choral improvisation and wellbeing" here.
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). Plural possibilities of improvisation in music education: An ecological perspective on choral improvisation and wellbeing. Lectio praecursoria. Finnish Journal of Music Education, 24(2), 152-157.
Siljamäki, E. (2021). Free improvisation in choral settings: An ecological perspective. Research Studies in Music Education, 44(1), 234–256. https://doi.org/10.1177/1321103X20985314
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
2021
Art for resilience and flexibility in working life
The Artsmend service model for developing social resilience in organisations is designed by Siljamäki.
See the Artsmend service model (2021) (in Finnish).
The Artsmend service model provides clients with a platform for developing abilities related to social resilience, such as an open attitude to challenges and difference, reciprocity and communality, and the ability to tolerate uncertainty both in moments of surprise and during long-term change processes.
Siljamäki, E. (2021). Improvisoiden muutosjoustavuutta työelämään - Artsmend-palvelumallin kehittäminen [Improvising for social resilience - developing Artsmend service design]. Masters thesis, Culture and media entrepreneurship. Turku University of Applied Sciences. https://urn.fi/URN:NBN:fi:amk-2021110519323
2013/2016/2021
Arts intervention for students living with social anxiety
Siljamäki developed a new kind of choral activity in a multiprofessional collaboration with psychologist Ninni Rehnberg (YTHS) and physiotherapist Päivi Hamari (YTHS), combining improvisation and singing with social anxiety management and peer support. Siljamäki was also part of the research team that examined this project, which was carried out in collaboration between the Student Health Foundation (YTHS) and the Sibelius Academy of the University of the Arts Helsinki
Publications:
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