معرفی
Mark van Bergen is a Lecturer at Fontys University of Applied Sciences and PhD candidate in Sociology at Tilburg University, specializing in Electronic Dance Music (EDM) culture and well-being. His work bridges academic research, journalism, and cultural practice through his leadership of Fontys' Dance Industry program and ongoing doctoral research.
His research focuses on Electronic Dance Music Culture, examining the relationship between EDM event participation and well-being, with particular attention to social inclusion/exclusion dynamics. His work challenges predominant media narratives that focus solely on drugs and noise in dance culture, instead highlighting EDM's positive societal contributions as demonstrated during the post-COVID well-being crisis.
Key scientific recognition includes the Pop Media Prize (2014), Netherlands' highest honor for music journalism, awarded for his book Dutch Dance. His research is supported by a Fontys PhD grant enabling dedicated research time through 2029.
As an educator, he founded Fontys' semester program for dance industry careers and supervises students through his role as Lecturer. His academic supervision team includes Professor Peter Achterberg (Tilburg University), Professor Pauwke Berkers (Erasmus University), and Dr. Falk Hübner (Fontys Academy for the Arts).
