Recent thesis offers structural solutions to gender equality problems in the music sector
In May, Aalto University approved a thesis that offers radical solutions for increasing the inclusion of women and other genders in the music industry. Master of Arts Tomi Rantanen‘s thesis on the gender transition in the Finnish popular music scene can be read here.
Rantanen, who works as a DJ and graphic designer, was inspired to write his thesis by frustration. Only 21% of songwriters in Finland are women, and at current rates, gender equality in the music industry would not be achieved until 2150.
“I have been particularly frustrated by the way studies have been done year after year, but structural solutions have not been put in place,” says Rantanen.
He points to a study that resulted in the creation of a set of theses for an equal music sector, but there is no monitoring or reporting on their implementation.
According to Rantanen, individual improvements here and there will not solve systemic problems. Strategic and simultaneous solutions and new ways of working are needed to accelerate change.
When Rantanen started his Master of Arts studies at Aalto University’s Department of Design in 2022, he was introduced to tools like the “transition arena“, which has been used in green transition projects in countries such as the Netherlands and Finland. However, in the field of gender equality work, the use of this tool is new.
“We tried these tools in several different courses, and I saw potential in them to solve gender issues in the music sector. This led to a graduation project where I prototyped a breakthrough arena with ten people working in the field. The results were very promising.”
Gender issues in the music sector are multidisciplinary in nature. They are influenced by the values and climate of society on the one hand, and by the culture, customs and norms within the sector on the other. There are no quick fixes, but they need to be worked on at different levels within the sector.
The transition process envisaged by Rantanen does not seek to apportion blame or dwell on old problems, but looks to the future with optimism. The principle is that the music industry, and in particular the people affected by the problems, will design their own solutions. Rantanen’s role as a designer is to enable this, as well as the creativity needed to make the transition.
“In my thesis, I propose that the gender transition is a long-term and ongoing process. It will involve workshops with industry decision-makers, organisations, trendsetters and creatives. The aim is to create a vision and concrete measurable goals for a gender-equal future, pathways to this vision, and a portfolio of strategic measures that will enable the pathways and the vision,” Rantanen sums up.
His next step will be to take this forward as a PhD project.
“During the research, I will implement and develop my thesis proposal and evaluate the effectiveness of the methods. The music sector, because of its size and social impact, is a suitable platform for research. My thesis shows the potential to be huge.”
