Julian Schaap

Julian Schaap is an Assistant Professor of Sociology of Music at the Department of Arts and Culture Studies, Erasmus School of History, Culture and Communication, Erasmus University Rotterdam. His research lies at the intersection of cultural sociology, cognitive sociology, and the sociology of stratification, with a focus on popular music, inequality, and well-being.

Education

• PhD in Sociology, Erasmus University Rotterdam (defended cum laude, October 2019)

Research Interests

Julian Schaap investigates how music preferences and practices reflect and reproduce social inequalities based on race, gender, and class. His work critically examines the racialization of music genres, particularly the dominance of whiteness in rock music, and how cultural consumption shapes identity and social belonging. He also explores the role of music in mental and social well-being, especially in times of crisis such as the COVID-19 pandemic. His methodological approach combines qualitative and quantitative techniques, including implicit association testing and cross-national comparative analysis.

Recent Research Trends

His recent publications reveal a strong thematic focus on the racial and gendered dimensions of music consumption, the cognitive mechanisms underlying cultural taste, and the social functions of music in digital and pandemic contexts. There is a clear trajectory from his dissertation on whiteness in rock music toward broader inquiries into music, identity, and well-being, often in collaborative projects with colleagues such as Pauwke Berkers and Merel Berghman.

Scientific Awards

• Praemium Erasmianum Dissertation Prize 2020
• Erasmus University Research Award 2020
• EGSH Best Thesis Award 2019
• KNAW Science Communication Grant (Main Applicant) 2021
• New Scientist Wetenschapstalent 2021

Advising and Grants

While no formal advisees are listed, Julian Schaap has secured competitive research funding from major Dutch and international bodies, including NWO, Fulbright, and the Erasmus Trustfonds. He is the main applicant on a KNAW Science Communication Grant, highlighting his commitment to public engagement. He also co-organized the educational minor Mu$ic: The economy, sociology and practice of popular music, indicating leadership in curriculum development and interdisciplinary collaboration.

Labs and Research Groups

Julian is affiliated with the Rotterdam Popular Music Studies research group and collaborates with the Music as Medicine research group at Erasmus Medical Center. He co-organizes the Music Talks symposia series, fostering dialogue between academia and artistic practice.