In Finland, only 20% of music creators are women.
At the current pace, an equal gender balance would be reached around 2150.
Equal Futures in Music is a solution-focused research project by doctoral researcher, designer, and DJ, Tomi Rantanen. The research is conducted at Aalto University (Finland) within the Department of Design and the NODUS Sustainable Design Research Group.
The project develops a workshop-based method, an Equality Transition Arena, which will be conducted and evaluated in the context of the Finnish popular music sector's gender inequalities.
The aim of the Equality Transition Arena is to empower the invited change agents to work together beyond competitive boundaries towards a more equal future. The concrete outcomes are a clearly articulated future vision, numerical targets for the field, accountability mechanisms, and a portfolio of actions.
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PUBLICATIONS
Conference proceedings article
A Relational Design Framework for Designing Feminist Futures in the Finnish Popular Music Sector
Tomi Rantanen, Aalto University
Tatu Marttila, Aalto University
Idil Gaziulusoy, Aalto University
11th Nordic Design Research Society (Nordes) Conference
6-8 August, 2025
Oslo, Norway
Master's thesis
Equal Futures in Music: A Proposal for a Transition Design-Inspired Approach to Combat Gender Inequalities in the Finnish Popular Music Sector.
Tomi Rantanen, Aalto University
Layout design by Tomi Rantanen
UPCOMING
Workshop!
Framing Gender Equality Transition in the Finnish Popular Music Sector
Where: Music, Research, and Activism II Conference
University of Helsinki, Room: Language Center: sh205
When: May 15, 2025, 13:30-14:30
For: Conference participants
Read more: Helsinki.fi
Workshop!
Framing Gender Equality Transition in the Finnish Popular Music Sector
Where: Meripaviljonki, Musiikin Satama, Espoo
When: May 26, 2025, 15:00-17:00
For: Music industry professionals
Read more: Webropol
PRESS
Miten musiikkialalle rakennetaan tasa-arvoinen tulevaisuus?
Tasa-arvosta ja yhdenvertaisuudesta on keskusteltu musiikkialalla jo pidempään. Aihetta käsiteltiin Tomi Rantasen (Aalto-yliopisto) Equal Futures in Music -väitöskirjatutkimuksen aloitustilaisuudessa Musiikin Satamassa 31. lokakuuta. Tutkimusta tukevat Teosto ja Gramex.
Read here: Teosto.fi
Equal Futures in Music -tilaisuudessa etsittiin ratkaisuja tasa-arvoisemman musiikkialan edistämiseksi
Torstaina 31. lokakuuta 2024 Musiikin Satamassa, Espoon Keilaniemessä järjestetyssä Equal Futures in Music -keskustelutilaisuudessa pureuduttiin Suomen musiikkialan tasa-arvon ja yhdenvertaisuuden tilaan ja tulevaisuuteen.
Read here: Muusikoidenliitto.fi
Tervetuloa Equal Futures in Music -keskustelutilaisuuteen!
Paikka: livestriimi ja Musiikin Satama (Keilasatama 2 E, 02150 Espoo)
Aika: Torstai 31.10.24 klo 10:00 – 12:00
Read here: Gramex.fi
Tomi Rantanen uses design to tackle gender equality issues in the music industry
Many Finnish female artists quit the music industry because they simply can't endure it any longer. Tomi Rantanen believes that gender equality issues need to be prioritized at the top of the agenda in the industry.
Read here: Aalto.fi
Recent thesis offers structural solutions to gender equality problems in the music sector
If current trends continue, the Finnish music sector will achieve gender equality in 2150. That’s not enough, Master of Arts Tomi Rantanen decided, and in his thesis he put forward a proposal for a gender transition in the popular music sector.
Read here: Gramex.fi