We invite (BA and MA) students with a dedication to the study of popular music (incl. jazz, EDM,…) at a university, university college or hogeschool in the Netherlands, Flanders or Luxemburg to apply for our one-year board membership program.
As a student board member, you will act as a representative for the popular music student population in the Benelux region. You will be able to fully participate in all board discussions (ca. monthly digital meetings) and have full voting rights on all board decisions. As such, you will gain an intimate understanding of the organizational and structural workings of IASPM, particularly the Benelux branch, and will be able to benefit from the global network of our organization. There may be a possibility of internship credits depending on your institution’s regulations.
Your tasks will include, among others, assisting with the organization of our annual student conference and other (digital or live) events such as our Pop Talks series. Also, you will support the board with external communication, both on social media and through e-mail, with our branch members and international colleagues.
To apply for this position, you need to submit a small dossier comprising a brief CV listing elements relevant to the position and a separate document with your response (ca. 100 words per question) to the following three questions:
What is your connection to IASPM and/or, more specifically, the Benelux branch?
In what way do you envision this board membership to help with your future endeavours as a popular music scholar?
What type of initiatives would you undertake in this role as a student board member, considering that you will represent the popular music student population in the Benelux region?
Please submit your dossier (CV + document with answers to questions) to our branch secretary, Joanna Zienkiewicz (j.z.zienkiewicz@rug.nl) before 15 December 2024. The board will decide on the awarding of this position before January 2025, with the newly-elected student board member starting at their earliest convenience.
Would you like to know more about the position? Read the account from our departing student board member, Alessandro Aprile:
My experience as a student board member of IASPM Benelux has been undoubtedly enriching. Being part of the core team gave me valuable insight into the inner workings of the networks and events that connect people in the field of popular music research in the Benelux area.
My primary responsibility as a student board member was organizing the Ninth Annual IASPM Benelux Student Conference, which took place at HKU in Utrecht. Collaborating with fellow students from the school, this role involved various tasks, from managing logistics to creating a welcoming environment for both presenters and attendees. Taking on these responsibilities was a valuable learning experience for me; I now have a clearer understanding of the extensive organization that goes on behind the scenes for such an event. Working on the organization of the student conference not only allowed me to improve my skills in communicating with and coordinating multiple people, but it also offered a great opportunity to connect with like-minded and passionate students. It served as a platform for them to present their work and engage with others in the field, fostering a supportive academic community.
Overall, I can say that my involvement with IASPM Benelux has greatly expanded my understanding of how the academic world operates.
IASPM Benelux board at the student conference at HKU in Utrecht June 2024.