Martijn Mulder

Martijn Mulder is a Senior Lecturer and Researcher at the Erasmus School of History, Culture and Communication, Department of Media and Communication, Erasmus University Rotterdam. He simultaneously serves as research leader and senior lecturer at the 'Creating 010' research center within Willem de Kooning Academy, part of Rotterdam University of Applied Sciences. His academic work bridges theoretical research with practical applications in urban cultural development, particularly focusing on how music venues and festivals contribute to local society and urban vitality.

Mulder completed his education in Leisure Science at Tilburg University (Netherlands) and Sheffield Hallam University (United Kingdom). His professional journey began in 2006 at the Leisure department of Willem de Kooning Academy, where he became research leader at the 'Creating 010' center in 2011. He commenced his PhD research in 2017 on live music experiences and ecologies under supervision of Prof. Susanne Janssen, Dr. Erik Hitters, and Dr. Paul Rutten.

Mulder's research focuses on the intricate relationships within live music ecosystems, examining how local live music infrastructures contribute to value creation for venues, festivals, and urban communities. His work investigates the balance between permanent and temporary music infrastructure serving diverse audiences, and how to optimize live music experiences within their complete ecological context. Additional research interests include city attractiveness metrics, the value of cultural supply in urban development, leisure experience valuation, and user-centered approaches to leisure design. His work has practical applications for urban planners, cultural institutions, and event organizers seeking to enhance community engagement through cultural programming.

Analysis of Mulder's recent publications reveals a cohesive research trajectory centered on live music ecosystems, with increasing sophistication in methodological approaches and theoretical frameworks. His work demonstrates a shift from descriptive studies of music experiences toward more complex analyses of industry dynamics, risk management, and value measurement. The 2024 publication on risk perception and trust relationships indicates growing attention to industry resilience in uncertain times, while earlier works established foundational measurement tools for understanding audience motivations and experiences. His research consistently bridges academic theory with practical industry applications, particularly through the NWO-funded Staging Popular Music project.

• Author of book "Leisure! Inleiding in de Vrijetijd"
• Co-author of Dutch national profile of Leisure Studies
• Juror for annual Dutch Event Awards
• Member of advisory committee Brabant C (investment fund for creative industries)

Mulder's primary research funding comes from the NWO project "Staging Popular Music: sustainable live music ecologies for artists, music venues and cities," a significant collaboration between Erasmus University, Rotterdam University of Applied Sciences, the Dutch association of music venues and festivals (VNPF), and Mojo Concerts (part of Live Nation). Beyond this major project, he has secured research contracts with multiple Dutch cities and regions, the Rotterdam Festival Organisation, World Expo Milan 2015, and Museum Rotterdam, demonstrating the practical relevance and demand for his expertise in cultural and leisure studies.

As research leader at 'Creating 010' center, Mulder works within a multidisciplinary team focused on urban development and cultural value creation. His doctoral research forms a critical component of the larger Staging Popular Music project, positioning him at the intersection of academic inquiry and practical industry application. The research center collaborates closely with cultural institutions, city governments, and event organizers to translate theoretical insights into actionable strategies for enhancing urban cultural vitality through music and leisure programming.