This past summer semester, ipop – Department of Popular Music head Ralf von Appen taught a first-ever mdw seminar focused on the American singer Taylor Swift. Von Appen subjected Swift to close academic scrutiny together with academic assistant Mira Perusich and 23 students.

Nach der Gründung des österreichischen Forschungsnetzwerks PopNet Austria fand von 1. bis 3. Dezember 2016 erneut eine Tagung zur Popularmusikforschung in Österreich statt.

The leading team of ipop explains what would be missing from Austria’s musical landscape without the department.