AN APPLIED ANALYSIS OF THE TRANSFORMATION AND IMPACTS OF MUSIC PERFORMANCE FROM THE STREET TO THE DIGITAL AS A CULTURAL EXPRESSION TOOL (2024–2025)
Project Coordinator:
Assoc. Prof. Dr. Müge ÖZTUNÇ
Researchers:
Assoc. Prof. Dr. Veli BOZTEPE
Assoc. Prof. Dr. Umur BEDİR
Res. Asst. Azime Ayşenur ÇELİMLİ AKGÜL
Asst. Prof. Dr. Engin BAŞÇI
Lect. Volkan BUDAK
Res. Asst. Oğuzhan ALTINKURT
Res. Asst. İbrahim ÖKSÜZ
Description:
This project examines the structural inequalities, forms of discrimination, and sectoral challenges faced by independent women musicians in Türkiye within the framework of feminist theory and methodology. Focusing on the multi-layered disadvantages that emerge at the intersection of being a woman and producing independently in a male-dominated music industry, the research aims to understand women musicians' struggles for visibility and existence in the music field through their lived experiences, performances, and collaborative production processes.
Within this scope, an acoustic music recording studio established at Istanbul Aydın University provided independent women musicians with access to professional recording facilities. The produced content was shared via social media platforms, and a collaboration was developed with Sisters Music Chain (SMC). The study is supported by semi-structured in-depth interviews conducted with ten artists who experienced the studio and the Director of SMC, as well as participant observations and performance recordings. The data obtained were analyzed using a grounded theory approach, revealing multiple dimensions of discrimination experienced by women musicians, which were interpreted in relation to feminist literature.
Note: The article based on this project will be published in 2026.
AN EXPERIMENTAL GAME DESIGN FOR MEASURING VIRTUAL REALITY (VR)–SUPPORTED THERAPY APPLICATIONS
– Self Control Game –
Project Coordinator:
Prof. Dr. Funda Şerifoğlu Sivrikaya (Industrial Engineering)
Researchers:
Assoc. Prof. Dr. Nur Emine KOÇ
Assoc. Prof. Dr. Begüm Aylin ÖNDER
Prof. Dr. Meral Günal
Res. Asst. Hatice ÖKSÜZ
Description:
The Self Control game addresses the transformative impact of the metaverse and new communication technologies—within the historical development of communication technologies—particularly in the field of digital health. In this context, the study investigates the psychological effects of a VR-based serious game titled Self Control designed for X, Y, and Z generations.
Designed through a multidisciplinary approach, the game was structured with a maximum usage duration of 20 minutes and aimed to comparatively analyze participants' psychological, cognitive, emotional, and social states before and after gameplay. The sample consisted of 60 participants. Six core emotional states—Anxiety, Excitement, Fear, Stress, Focus, and Motivation—were measured using the EMOTIV EPOC X EEG device through a pre-test/post-test research design, and intergenerational comparative evaluations were conducted.
The findings indicate that VR-based serious games have the potential to enhance emotional awareness, reduce stress levels, and strengthen psychological resilience. Moreover, the results highlight the importance of age- and experience-sensitive digital content design and demonstrate that the proposed model offers academic and applied contributions to the fields of digital health, therapy technologies, and gamification in education.
Istanbul Aydın University Technology Transfer and Project Management Office (TTPYO)
