Heidi Westerlund

Heidi Westerlund is a Professor at the Sibelius Academy, University of the Arts Helsinki, and oversees music education doctoral studies. Her research focuses on higher arts education, music teacher education, and the intersections of cultural diversity, democracy, and ecopolitical professionalism. She co-edited influential books such as Music, Education, and Religion (2019) and Expanding Professionalism in Music (2021). Currently, she leads the Academy of Finland-funded 'Music Education, Professionalism, and Eco-Politics' project (2021–2025) and collaborates on international initiatives like the AHRC-funded 'Music for Social Impact' (2020–2023) and the ERASMUS+ 'REACT' project. Her work emphasizes transformative educational practices, intercultural competence, and institutional resilience in arts education.

Her research integrates critical theory, sociopolitical analysis, and participatory methodologies. She has chaired editorial boards for journals like the Finnish Journal of Music Education and advocates for inclusive, ethically grounded pedagogical frameworks. Projects like 'Rethinking Music Performance in European HEIs' aim to reposition music education amid societal challenges. She explores how music schools can foster collaborative professionalism and address ecological and social inequities through innovative curricula and interdisciplinary partnerships.

Westerlund’s publications span over two decades, addressing topics from neuroscientific advocacy critiques to intercultural outreach in music teacher education. Her recent work critiques expert-centric paradigms, advocating for reflexive, ecopolitically engaged professionalism that bridges arts and science domains. She emphasizes systemic change in music education systems to better serve super-diverse societies.