Dr. Nasim Niknafs

Biography

Nasim Niknafs is an Associate Professor in Music Education at the Faculty of Music, University of Toronto, where he also serves as Associate Dean for Research. His interdisciplinary research has been published widely in several journals, contributing to edited volumes and handbooks that address the philosophies, cultural politics, and contemporary issues in music education. Growing up in Iran, Niknafs focuses on the lives of artists and musicians, which has propelled his studies into the geopolitics and constructs of living and dying in these contexts. He has concluded a longitudinal study concerning the music education of rock musicians in Iran and is currently leading a SSHRC-funded project titled 'Sanctuary City: Cultural Programs, Music Education, Dignified Lives of Refugee Newcomers in Toronto.' Niknafs is also the editor of a special issue addressing anti-racism, anti-fascism, and anti-discrimination in music education. He has co-edited books such as the 'Oxford Handbook of Feminism in Music Education' and 'Traumas Resisted (Re)Engaged: Inquiring Lost and Found Narratives in Music Education.' His research initiatives have received funding from various prestigious organizations, including the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada. He has been recognized with the Faculty of Music Teaching Excellence Award in 2019 and has taught a diverse array of undergraduate and graduate courses. Niknafs is involved in several editorial boards and is a steering committee member of the Mayday Group.

Research Interests

Experience