Beste Sevindik is a junior researcher at the LeidenAsiaCenter. She is currently conducting a research project on the Dutch government’s initiatives and backing for diverse interdisciplinary cultural collaboration projects with Japan.

Following her graduation from Japanese studies from Leiden University in 2022, Beste did a research internship at the Research Institute for Women and Careers, Japan Women’s University, Tokyo. Here, she conducted qualitative research into the socio-economic conditions of women musicians working in Japan.

As a classically trained violinist, Beste has played in various stages across Europe, Turkey, and Japan. Beyond the concert hall, she actively engages in projects exploring the role of musicians in society. Beste previously worked as a researcher at the Royal Conservatoire The Hague and Hanze University Groningen, as a member of the Research Group Lifelong Learning in Music on the international research project ProMiMiC (Professional Excellence in Meaningful Music in Healthcare) a collaboration with the Royal College London and the University of Music and Performing Arts Vienna.

Research Interests

• Japan
• Cultural Diplomacy
• Japan – Netherlands Relations

Publications

Sevindik, B. (2023). Voices of Women Musicians in the Japanese Music Industry: a survey questionnaire and interview study. Gendai josei to kyaria (Modern Women and and Careers) No. 15 (2023.9)

de Wit, K., Sevindik, B. (2023). Meaningful Music in Healthcare: Professional development and discovered identities of classical musicians working in hospital wards. “Futuring Classical Music” MCICM (The Maastricht Centre for the Innovation of Classical Music), in press.

Dons, K., de Wit, K., Sevindik, B., & Taekema, R. (2020). Can you hear us? Person-centred music-making through video-calls with vulnerable isolated elderly people and their carers during the COVID-19 pandemic. Journal of Music, Health & Wellbeing.

Contact

email: sevindik@leidenasiacentre.nl