Personal profile
Curriculum
Education
2008 Ph.D. at University of Paderborn with the research topic: ‚Interface-Problems in Music Education: Historical and Empirical Studies on the Usage of Sequencer Software in Music Classes‘
1999–2001 Additional Studies of Musicology at Musikhochschule Detmold
1995–1999 Studies of Education with the subjects Music and German at University of Paderborn
Academic Positions
09/2012 Full Professorship for Music Education, in particular Popular Music, Leuphana University Lüneburg
Since 06/2012 Administration of a Professorship of Music Education, Leuphana University Lüneburg
09/2010 Professorship (part-time) for Music Education focusing on Digital Media, Leopold-Mozart-Zentrum, University Augsburg
Since 09/2009 Academic Advisor (part-time) at University Paderborn
Since 02/2005 Research Assistant, University Paderborn
2001–2005 Editor-in-Chief of the Journal ‚Musikunterricht und Computer‘ (computers in music education), Lugert Publishing House
Research interests
Analysis and Didactics of Popular Music, Music and new media, Music on the internet, empirical music pedagogy, musicology, popular music studies. Research on interfaces in music making, music production, creativity and improvisation.
Teaching
Music Education, Music didactics, Musicology, Popular Music Studies.
Transfer of scientific knowledge
Expert on German music copyright, author of music books for use in secondary schools, music production. Reviewer fpr academic journals and books.
Keywords
- Music education
- Popular Music Studies
- Empirical music pedagogy
Expertise related to UN Sustainable Development Goals
In 2015, UN member states agreed to 17 global Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) to end poverty, protect the planet and ensure prosperity for all. This person’s work contributes towards the following SDG(s):
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SDG 4 Quality Education
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Research collaborations from the last five years
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dArts: dialoguing@rts – Advancing Cultural Literacy for Social Inclusion through Dialogical Arts Education
Ahlers, M. (Project manager, academic) & Jóri, A. (Coordination)
01.01.24 → 30.06.27
Project: Research
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MI-RAP: MI-RAP - Music Industry Resilience Acceleration Programme, Subproject 8
Ahlers, M. (Project manager, academic)
01.11.23 → 31.10.26
Project: Research
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Digitalität – Diversität – Producing: Praktiken populärer Musik in Schule und Weiterbildung . Teilprojekt Leuphana Universität Lüneburg
Ahlers, M. (Project manager, academic)
01.07.23 → 28.02.26
Project: Research
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„ComeArts. fortbilden durch vernetzen - vernetzen durch fortbilden. Gelingensbedingungen diversitätssensibler, digitalisierungs- und digitalitätsbezogener Fortbildungsmodule für die Fächer Kunst und Musik in Community Networks. Teilprojekt Leuphana Universität Lüneburg
Ahlers, M. (Project manager, academic)
01.07.23 → 28.02.26
Project: Research
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ComeArts | fortbilden durch vernetzen – vernetzen durch fortbilden
Hall, E.-M. (Project staff) & Ahlers, M. (Project manager, academic)
01.07.23 → 28.02.26
Project: Transfer (R&D project)
Research output
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Hybridität im Musikraum. Theorien und Beispiele zum "neuen Normal"
Ahlers, M., Brunken, F. J., Hall, E.-M. & Stange, C., 26.02.2026, In: Diskussion Musikpädagogik. 2026, 109, p. 1-8 8 p.Research output: Journal contributions › Journal articles › Research › peer-review
Open Access -
Songwriting Under Pressure: Songwriting Camps as Manifestation of Technological and Social Acceleration
Wernicke, C. & Ahlers, M., 15.01.2026, In: Sustain : journal of sustainability and futures in music education. 1, 1, p. 1-31 31 p.Research output: Journal contributions › Journal articles › Research › peer-review
Open Access -
Zur Bedeutung von Medienbildung für musikalische Bildung
Ahlers, M. & Godau, M., 04.03.2026, Musik zeigt Wirkung: Zur Bedeutung musikalischer Bildung für Mensch und Gesellschaft. Dartsch, M. & Oberschmidt, J. (eds.). Schott Music, p. 34-36 3 p.Research output: Contributions to collected editions/works › Contributions to collected editions/anthologies › Transfer › peer-review
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Classroom music in Germany as praxis and object: Innovative approaches and early findings
Verbücheln, E.-M. & Ahlers, M., 29.05.2025, Innovative Teaching and Classroom Processes: Research Perspectives from Germany and China. Ehmke, T. & Chi-Kin Lee, J. (eds.). 1 ed. New York: Taylor and Francis Inc., p. 117-129 13 p.Research output: Contributions to collected editions/works › Chapter › peer-review
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From Sheet to Beat: Creativity and Composition as Useful Content for (Digital) Lifelong Learning
Ahner, P., Ahlers, M., Aigner, W., Chatelain, S., Desmurs, S., Hug, D., Mall, P. & Spieker, B., 23.09.2025, Liberty – Equity – Creativity: Innovating and Inventing Music in the Classroom. Buchborn, T., Gall, M., Henessy, S. & Stumpfögger, M. (eds.). Rum/Innsbruck: Helbling Verlag, p. 189-205 17 p. (European perspectives on music education; vol. 13).Research output: Contributions to collected editions/works › Article in conference proceedings › Research › peer-review
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Disputation im Verfahren der Dissertation von Liza Neukirch "Anknüpfungspunkte finden: Untersuchungen zur Wissenschaftskommunikation in der Musikpädagogik"
Ahlers, M. (Reviewer)
01.09.2025Activity: Other expert activities › Academic Consultant › Research
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Über-diszipliniert und leidenschaftlich diskursiv
Ahlers, M. (Speaker)
13.06.2025Activity: Talk or presentation › Conference Presentations › Research
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Shaping Musical Futures: Perspectives on Post Digital Music Education
Ahlers, M. (Speaker)
07.06.2025Activity: Talk or presentation › Conference Presentations › Research
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German Society for Popular Music Studies e.V. (External organisation)
Ahlers, M. (Chair)
23.05.2025Activity: Membership › Learned societies and special interest organisations › Research
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Abschluss des Promotionsverfahrens Gernot Preusser
Ahlers, M. (Reviewer)
31.03.2025Activity: Other expert activities › Academic Consultant › Research
Prizes
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Erfolgreiche Förderung des transdisziplinären Lehr- und Forschungsprojektes "Digitale Medien zwischen Kunst, Musik und Pädagogik" durch die Virtuelle Hochschule Bayern. (40.000 Euro)
Ahlers, M. (Recipient), 01.04.2012
Prize: external Prizes, scholarships, distinctions, appointments › Education
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Forschungspreis der Universität Paderborn.
Ahlers, M. (Recipient), 01.10.2009
Prize: external Prizes, scholarships, distinctions, appointments › Research
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Visiting Professor an der Universität Huddersfield
Ahlers, M. (Recipient), 07.07.2025
Prize: external Prizes, scholarships, distinctions, appointments › Research
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Visiting Professor at the University of Huddersfield
Ahlers, M. (Recipient), 05.10.2020
Prize: external Prizes, scholarships, distinctions, appointments › Research
Press/Media
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Meldung: Kooperatives DFG Projekt zu Songwriting Camps im 21. Jahrhundert
24.11.22
1 item of Media coverage
Press/Media
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Deutschlandfunk "Kompressor": Artifical Intelligence bei der Talentsuche im Pop
14.07.21
1 Media contribution
Press/Media
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"Wenn ich die Augen schließe, bin ich 21" - Roger Daltrey und The Who wieder auf Tour
29.03.19
1 Media contribution
Press/Media
Datasets
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Open Educational Practices an niedersächsischen Hochschulen - Auflistung der im Datensatz enthaltenen Quellen
Rahdes, S. (Creator), Herzog, C. (Creator), Rau, F. (Creator), Ahlers, M. (Contributor), Besser, M. (Contributor) & Kuhl, P. (Contributor), Medien- und Informationszentrum, Leuphana Universität Lüneburg, 03.04.2023
DOI: 10.48548/pubdata-24, https://pubdata.leuphana.de/handle/20.500.14123/31.3 and one more link, https://pubdata.leuphana.de/handle/20.500.14123/31 (show fewer)
Dataset