François Matarasso

The SIMM Platform exists thanks to the vision and tenacity of Lukas Pairon, a musician, activist and researcher who has worked for many years at the interface of music and social change. One of its primary actions is bringing together people working in the field to share ideas and explore new ways forward. Lukas asked me to help spread the word about the two next events in this long series:

• The 12th SIMM research seminar is on 7-9 September 2026 at the Institute of Musicology and Arts of the University of Luxembourg, and brings together socially engaged practice-researchers from diverse arts disciplines.
• The 13th SIMM research seminar is on 11-13 November 2026 at the University of Ghent and will focus on research on music programmes in detention centres and prisons. Application deadline for a both seminars is 15th April 2026

SIMM Is also involved with academic journals, including a forthcoming issue of Musica e Storia on historical research into music as resistance and as oppression, guest edited by Lukas Pairon and Janie Cole.

Abstracts are invited before 31 May 2026 for a special issue of the International Journal of Music Mediation (IJMM) on participatory opera and music theatre. Click on the links for more information.