Babak Nikzat

Babak Nikzat is a researcher and teacher at the Institute of Ethnomusicology within the University of Music and Performing Arts Graz. His work focuses on the sociopolitical dimensions of music in Iran, particularly exploring banned genres like pāp-bandari and their role in cultural identity. He combines ethnographic fieldwork with musicological analysis, examining studio-based music production and hybrid musical forms.

Education: Completed an instrumental degree (flute) at Azad University in Tehran, followed by MA and PhD studies in musicology in Austria, culminating in a dissertation on pāp-bandari.

Research Interests: Explores the interplay between cultural policy, musical practice, and identity through case studies like the Persian singing tradition of Šarve and the sociopolitical significance of studio-produced music. Current projects include an interdisciplinary FWF study on Arab minorities’ language and music in southern Iran.

Grants & Collaborations: Active in the FWF-funded project investigating southern Iranian Arab minorities’ cultural expressions. No formal student advisees listed but contributes to academic mentorship through teaching and research supervision.

Labs/Teams: Part of the Institute of Ethnomusicology’s research network, focusing on fieldwork methodologies and cultural policy analysis.