Extensive research experience spans over two decades, with leadership and active contributions to more than 25 national and international research projects. My work integrates cultural policy, strategic management, arts management, creative entrepreneurship, cultural and creative industries, music business, artificial intelligence in the cultural field and education, and sustainability—offering a bridge between academic inquiry, applied policy research, and cultural sector development.
Collaboration in my research activities has involved institutions such as UNESCO, the European Commission, the British Council, the Jane and Aatos Erkko Foundation, the Sibelius Foundation, and multiple universities across Europe. Recent and ongoing research explores themes such as cultural equity, the value of music, diversity, and the emerging role of artificial intelligence in the arts.
Project leadership includes initiation, fundraising, coordination, and implementation, with a strong emphasis on addressing both academic and societal challenges. Current efforts focus on producing research with direct policy relevance and long-term impact on the cultural and creative sectors.
Selected recent and ongoing research projects include:
Cultural and Creative Industries (CCI)
- Cultural and Creative Industries in the Western Balkans (Book, Routledge, 2025)
This research explores the dynamic and evolving landscape of the cultural policy, cultural and creative industries (CCI) across the region. It examines the unique positioning of CCIs, their role in preserving cultural expression and content, and their economic impact on these societies, all within the framework of social, political, and economic trends and transformations in the region.
- Re-thinking of cultural policies on diversity and participation: A case study of public art organizations in the Helsinki central area. In V. Simjanovska & T.-M. Karjalainen (Eds.), The art of re-thinking: New era for Arts Management (pp. 118–135). Sibelius Academy, University of the Arts Helsinki.A case study of public art organizations in the Helsinki central area that explore how public art organizations in Helsinki engage with diversity and participation in their institutional policies and practices. Using a case study approach, I explore the disconnect between policy discourse and implementation, and argue for more inclusive and reflective models of cultural governance
- Impact of COVID-19 on CCIs in North Macedonia (Cultural Relations Platform/EU/Goethe, 2022)
As a lead author of this comprehensive report I have analyzed the sector’s resilience, strategic adaptation, and policy
Strategic Management in the Arts
- Töölönlahti Cultural Development Research (City of Helsinki / Sibelius Academy, 2018)
Co-authored policy proposals for converting Töölönlahti into a major cultural and leisure destination.
- European Capitals of Culture Impact Research (Sibelius Academy, 2017–2019)
This research, co-led by myself and Dr. Franco Bianchini, examines the long-term governance, institutional legacy, and adaptability of selected European Capitals of Culture—particularly focusing on Finnish candidate cities for the title of ECoC 2026 amid the COVID-19 pandemic.
A key outcome is the research report titled Reflections on Aspects of the Impacts of the COVID-19 Pandemic on European Capitals of Culture, published under Sibelius Academy’s Research Report series
Societal Impact & Value of the Arts
- Voice & Justice – Music as a Promoter of Diversity (Erkko Foundation / Sibelius Academy, 2025–2028)
Research initiative exploring music’s role in cultural equity, inclusion, and intercultural dialogue. I have a leading role of the resarch part of the entire project.
- Interethnic Integration Through Education (USAID, 2012–2016)
Developed cultural programming to support integration in ethnically diverse schools.
- Culture From/For All (Swiss Cultural Programme, Macedonia–Kosovo, 2009–2011)
Led participatory research on municipal cultural policy and local governance models.
- Higher Education Institutions for Societal Engagement (HEISE) EU-funded Erasmus+ Strategic Partnership (2016–2019) involving six universities from Finland, Estonia, and Spain, including Sibelius Academy. The project produced the Roadmap for Societal Engagement, outlining tools to strengthen HEIs’ societal impact through arts-based and challenge-driven education.
