We don’t only spotlight Belgian bands as a part of Belgian Music Week, but also cultural highlights. VI.BE once again presented the thesis award at its Muzikale Terzake – the sector day on the role of research in the contemporary music industry – at AB. Our talent developer, Ine Geldermans, received the award for best undergraduate these from Minister of Culture, Caroline Gennez.

Best undergraduate thesis 2024: Ine Geldermans

How do female programmers experience the club circuit and what are the (systematic) boundaries they encounter? That is the question that PXL Music student Ine Geldermans tries to answer in her winning thesis. Her research, entitled: “Cracks in the glass ceiling: the experience of female programmers in Flemish and Brussels music venues”, was unanimously deemed the very best by the jury. Ine managed to clearly frame her research and focus on the evolving nature of the programmer’s profession.

These where the findings of jury member Ayco:

“Ine’s thesis is a confronting and tangible proof of the glass ceiling that female programmers run into. She also demonstrates that the solution doesn’t only lie in the hands of women themselves, but in a systematic strategy borne by the wider live sector, from bookers to managers."

© lucinde wahlen