The Center for Educational Research and Academic Development in the Arts (CERADA)
Our research is connected to topical social themes, such as democracy, equality, social responsibility and well-being.
Introduction
The Center for Educational Research and Academic Development in the Arts (CERADA) is one of the three focus area centres of Uniarts Helsinki. Its focus is on research into arts education and research-based development of higher education in the arts. The research carried out in CERADA therefore responds to the demands for development in arts education and higher education in the arts, as well as professional development for artists and arts teachers. CERADA’s vision is to be a well-connected, internationally acknowledged, high-quality research centre that impacts society in its own focus area.
Find out more about our research
Here you’ll find news about our research as well as descriptions of some of our research projects.
-
Fast45
FAST45 investigates alternative futures for institutions of higher arts education in Europe.
-
A free hobby as part of the school day for all children in Finland – How research and collaboration have resulted in the new Finnish model
Finnish children will have a free hobby during the school day thanks to funding from the government of Finland. Behind the scenes the art education researchers together with different cultural organisations have worked actively to make the dream come true.
-
The Arts as Public Service: Strategic Steps towards Equality (ArtsEqual)
The research initiative funded by the Academy of Finland’s Strategic Research Council (2015 – 2021) explores how the arts can meet the social challenges of the 2020s.
-
Subtle Corporealities: Propositions of Resistance for Creative Practitioners
Research project (2020-2022) by Susanna Hast and Maryam Bagheri Nesami develops artistic proposals for resistance and reparation of damage while testing the boundaries of self expression without overt exposure.
-
Global Visions Through Mobilizing Networks: Co-Developing Intercultural Music Teacher Education in Finland, Israel and Nepal
The research project funded by the Academy of Finland (2015 – 2020) creates an international network of music teacher educators and a hybrid space for reflection and planning.
-
The Transformative Politics of Music Education in an Aging Society
This research project (2019-2022) by Tuulikki Laes explores music learning and performing as ways of promoting ageing identities.
-
Projects
Learn more about our projects.
Get to know our researchers
Read a rotating selection of our excellent researchers and their work.
-
Professor Heidi Westerlund
Westerlund leads two research projects funded by the Academy of Finland. She is also responsible for the music education doctoral studies.
-
Post-Doctoral Fellow Guadalupe López Íñiguez
López Íñiguez’s research focuses on how to renew learning and performance practices among (under)graduate musicians.
-
Professor Eeva Anttila
Anttila is a founding member of CERADA and involved in CERADA’s operations both as a member of the management team and as a researcher.
Our activities
-
The Observatory for Arts and Cultural Education, Finland
The project collects and disseminates information on the practices, research and policies in the field of arts and cultural education in Finland.
-
Academic Reading Circle
Making radically diverse arts and artistic research propositions with post-qualitative methods.
-
Art makes a difference blog
Research centre CERADA’s blog offers news and views about how research into arts education can have an impact on society.
News and events
-
ESA Arts 2021 – A Conference on Activism and Social Effects of Art (9.-12. March 2021)
Read more from the conference website!
-
What’s the point of education?–A video lecture by Professor Gert Biesta
Gert Biesta, visiting professor at CERADA, talks about his research in the video lecture What’s the point of education? The lecture is now available to watch online.
-
Toward a More Generous University–A video lecture by Professor Kathleen Fitzpatrick
A video of Professor Fitzpatrick’s lecture Toward a More Generous University at CERADA’s Researchers’ Meet on September 14th, 2020 is now available to watch online. Fitzpatrick talks about the social and political crisis in universities and the radical thought of saving the university with the means of generous thinking.
-
The disappearance of art and education: What can we learn from Gert Biesta in times of crises?
Tuulikki Laes and Heidi Westerlund reflect on visiting professor Gert Biesta’s ideas on art education in COVID times on their latest blog entry.
Advisory board
-
Kai Lehikoinen
- Director, Y/Taidekasvatuksen tutkimuksen tk CERADA, University of the Arts Helsinki
- +358504390517
- kai.lehikoinen@uniarts.fi
-
Eeva Anttila
- Professor, T/Tanssinopettajan maisteriohjelma, Theatre Academy
- +358405858415
- eeva.anttila@uniarts.fi
-
Lotta Ilomäki
- Lecturer, S/Sävellys ja musiikinteoria, Sibelius Academy
Hourly-paid Teacher, S/Sävellys ja musiikinteoria, Sibelius Academy - +358503843483
- lotta.ilomaki@uniarts.fi
-
Lea Kantonen
- Professor, K/Kuvataiteen tohtoriohjelma, Academy of Fine Arts
- +358503063073
- lea.kantonen@uniarts.fi
-
Heidi Westerlund
- Professor, S/MuTri-tohtorikoulu, Sibelius Academy
- +358505015622
- heidi.westerlund@uniarts.fi
Contact information
-
Kai Lehikoinen
- Director, Y/Taidekasvatuksen tutkimuksen tk CERADA, University of the Arts Helsinki
- +358504390517
- kai.lehikoinen@uniarts.fi
-
Karla-Maria Toiviainen
- Coordinator, Y/Tutkimuspalvelut, University of the Arts Helsinki
- +358469211412
- karla-maria.toiviainen@uniarts.fi