Inclusive Pedagogy in Music Education:
A Comparison of the Perspectives of Teachers Across Primary and Special Education Schools in Germany and Türkiye
Cologne International Forum Innovative Tandem Collaboration: 1 December 2024 - 31 January 2026
Dr. Gözde Özenç İra (Ankara, Turkey)
Partner at the University of Cologne: Veronika Phung (Research Associate, Department of Arts and Music)
Abstract
Our initiative is hosted by Veronika Phung and supported by Dr. Theresa Stommel and Dr. Lukas Bugiel. In collaboration with Dr. Gözde Özenc Ira, we aim to explore the perspectives of primary and special education teachers in Germany and Türkiye on inclusive music pedagogy and curricular decisions. Demographic changes, the ratification of the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, and the global push for the UN Sustainable Development Goals have led educational systems to increasingly focus on promoting social cohesion and inclusion. Although music education plays a crucial role in fostering the inclusion of disadvantaged children, there remains a lack of understanding regarding the perspectives of music educators on inclusive teaching practices.
Our project directly addresses the challenges and opportunities of inclusive music education. We will explore how teachers in both countries understand social cohesion and inclusion in music teaching, how their curricular decisions impact educational justice, and how these insights can guide future teaching practices. To do this, we will analyze documents, conduct online surveys, and hold face-to-face interviews with primary and special education teachers to better understand their approaches to social cohesion and inclusion in music education. Additionally, we will compare the music curricula in Germany and Türkiye to understand how they address the educational needs of disadvantaged children, especially those with learning disabilities and immigrant backgrounds. Our findings will help improve teacher training programs in both countries, drawing on the knowledge of music and special education. Based on these insights, we will develop teaching modules that can support teachers in primary, music, and special education. By using a mix of different research methods, we aim to provide a thorough understanding of inclusive music pedagogy and offer useful recommendations for teacher development.
We will share our findings through publications in international peer-reviewed journals, presentations at educational conferences, an interdisciplinary online course for students in primary, music, and special education, and workshops in Ankara and Cologne. These workshops will involve teachers and students, allowing them to discuss the research results and how to apply them in their own teaching practices. The project will conclude with the SALON event in Cologne.
Workshop on Inclusive Music Pedagogy in Primary Schools: Comparative Perspectives from Germany and Türkiye
As part of their project, our Innovative Tandem is hosting the following event in spoken English:
The closing workshop brings together music, primary, and special education researchers from the University of Cologne and Hacettepe University to explore how inclusive and socially just approaches can be embedded in primary school music curricula. Drawing on findings from the Innovative Tandem Collaborations project, the session focuses on how schools in Germany and Türkiye conceptualize and implement inclusivity within their internal music curricula.
The closing workshop combines comparative curriculum analysis, theoretical input, and practice-oriented discussions. Together, participants will identify key criteria for equitable music pedagogy and co-develop ideas for designing just, and inclusive learning environments in primary school settings.
Venue: International House, Kringsweg 6 (The venue is wheelchair accessible.)
Date: 30 January 2026
With contributions from:
- Dr. Gözde Özenç İra (Hacettepe University – Department of Primary Education)
- Dr. Theresa Stommel (University of Cologne – Special Education & Rehabilitation)
- Dr. Lukas Bugiel (University of Cologne – Department of Music & Arts)
Content Overview
15:00–16:00
- Welcome and Introduction (10 minutes)
- Project Presentation
- Break
16:00–17:00
- Comparative and Interpretive Workshop on Internal School Curricula
17:00–17:45
- How Should Just and Equitable Curricula Be Designed?
- Theoretical Input (Dr. Lukas Bugiel & Dr. Theresa Stommel)
- Case Example: Criteria for Equitable Music Pedagogy
17:45–18:00
- Closing and Outlook
Dr. Gözde Özenç İra
Dr. Gözde Özenç İra is a research assistant in the Department of Primary Education at Hacettepe University, Türkiye. Her work focuses on culturally responsive and inclusive music pedagogy in primary school settings. In 2025, she completed a TÜBİTAK-funded postdoctoral research stay at the University of Cologne, at the Institute for European Music Ethnology. She employs qualitative and reconstructive approaches to examine how teachers in Türkiye and Germany integrate cultural diversity into classroom music practices. As part of the Innovative Tandem Collaborations project funded by the Cologne International Forum, she collaborates with researchers from special and music education to explore teachers’ perspectives on inclusive music education in primary schools across both countries.