Dr. Katja Thomson is a Lecturer in Music Education and a researcher in the project Music Education, Professionalism, and Eco-Politics (EcoPolitics, 2021-2025) at the Sibelius Academy of the University of the Arts Helsinki, Finland.

She has worked extensively as a music educator and artist in schools, ensembes, theatre and various community settings. Katja is the chair of the Diversity, Inclusion and Gender Equality working group for Empowering Artists as Makers in Society (ARTEMIS) of the European Association of Conservatoires (AEC).
In 2021 she completed her doctoral dissertation on an ensemble project including musicians with refugee and immigrant background and students from the Sibelius Academy.
Katja lived in the UK 1996-2011 and has developed music education programmes promoting creative, participatory music practices in Finland, UK, Brazil and the Philippines.
HOW radio
Helsinki Open Waves radio, Caisa and the Global Music Department of Sibelius Academy present HOW radio: Global Club Nights, a radio discussion series focusing on the music industry in Finland from the perspective on intercultural collaboration.

The discussions take into consideration both the part of the musician and the business side, focusing on diversity in a neutral, safe space.

The language of discussion is English.

Global Club Nights live club events are held in Caisa monthly! Read more on Caisa’s event calendar.

Helsinki Open Waves (HOW) is a translingual, non-profit, community-driven platform that encapsulates a network of trans-local radio and audio practices. Read more here: www.helsinkiopenwaves.com