Dr. Min Ong

Biography

Min Yen Ong joined the Oxford Faculty of Music in 2023 after holding faculty research positions at the University of Cambridge. As an ethnomusicologist, her regional interests include Pacific Island cultures, particularly Hawaiʻi and Fiji, as well as music in East Asia, with a focus on China. Min holds a PhD in Ethnomusicology from SOAS, University of London and has lectured at various universities, including the University of Nottingham, University of Sheffield, and University of Liverpool. Her research examines the empowering role that music plays in concepts of agency, belonging, resilience, and sustainability, particularly within the context of China's intangible cultural heritage safeguarding policies. Min is also interested in the processes of decolonization concerning music, dance, and media. Additionally, she explores the collaborative use of music videos to support struggles for self-determination among native Hawaiians and addresses the impact of climate change on Pacific communities. She has published research in various chapters and edited volumes, including co-editing "Sound Communities Asia Pacific: Music, Media, Technology" (Bloomsbury, 2021). Alongside her academic work, Min is committed to practice-based initiatives aimed at empowering communities affected by global inequalities, drawing from her experiences in international music publishing and the music industry.

Research Interests