Alexandra Neukomm

Alexandra Neukomm is a Researcher at the Department of Popular Cultures, Institute for Social Anthropology and Cultural Studies (ISEK) at the University of Zurich. She is a doctoral candidate in the Swiss National Science Foundation (SNSF) funded research project «Claiming Folklore» since January 2022, focusing on politics and practices of traditional folk music on Swiss television (1960s–1990s).

Education:

• 2019–2022: MA in Popular Culture Studies and Social Anthropology at the University of Zurich
• 2011–2019: BA in Popular Culture Studies, French Literature, and Social Anthropology at the University of Zurich
• 2005: Bilingual Baccalaureate (French-German) at Gymnase de Morges (VD), major in Spanish

Research Focus: Her work centers on the interplay between social movements and media practices, analyzing how Swiss television programs like Für Stadt und Land and Diräkt us shaped narratives of national identity and folklore. She explores material culture and the role of television as a mediator of regional and national heritage.

Project Participation: The «Claiming Folklore» project (2022–2025), funded with 736,702 CHF by SNSF (project number 204406), examines the audiovisual production and reception of folk music during its media heyday. Alexandra contributes to praxeographic analysis of the SRF Folk Culture editorial team’s methods and participatory media ethnography.

Professional Background: Prior roles include Executive Assistant in finance (2014–2021), Passenger Service Agent (2012–2014), and Flight Attendant (2007–2011), reflecting diverse career experiences before returning to academia.

Collaborations and Memberships: She is a member of the editorial board of «das bulletin – Für Alltag und Populäres» (since 2023) and academic societies such as the European Association of Social Anthropologists (EASA), Société Internationale d'Ethnologie et de Folklore (SIEF), and Swiss Society of Ethnomusicology (CH-EM). The project collaborates with institutions like the SRF Archive, University of Freiburg, and University of Basel.

Conferences and Publications: Alexandra has presented at international conferences including SIEF (2023), DGEKW (2023), and external colloquia at Freiburg and Mainz. Her 2021 co-authored online exhibition fernsehfolklore.ch remains a key output, alongside a 2017 book chapter on retirement centers in Zurich.