Illustrations by Alexander Naughton
Over the past year, four Creative PEC Small Network Grants have brought together researchers, policymakers and industry professionals to investigate some of the most pressing themes across the creative industries. The networks created space for collaboration, exploring: Sustainability, Place, Civic Creativity, and Artificial Intelligence. Today, we are pleased to publish their outputs.
Each Network was designed to promote knowledge exchange, led by Creative PEC Research Fellows, and open to the wider research community, with a commitment to making findings publicly available. A central ambition has been to provide support beyond individual research concerns, by creating opportunities for researchers to connect across disciplines, institutions and sectors, sharing expertise, and co-developing new agendas.
The Networks demonstrate how targeted funding can allow different perspectives to intersect, generating ideas and resources with the potential to inform future research, policy and practice.
Supporting the Future of Creative Industries Research
Since June 2023, the start of Creative PEC’s second round of funding, we have sought to lead the way in fostering dialogue on creative industries policies and research. To this end, we have established a Research Fellows Network which now has just over one hundred Fellows; hosted a regular Seminar Series showcasing cutting-edge research; and organised our first Research Symposium in April 2026.
The Small Networks form part of the wider programme of the Research Fellows Network, which seeks to provide opportunities for researchers to share their work and engage with communities of policy and practice. While each Network addressed a different theme, they reflect a desire to show that collaboration can multiply and strengthen the evidence available to inform understanding of the creative industries; the outputs published today are an important contribution, and also a starting point for further conversations.
The intention is that each network will have a life beyond the current funding period, and lead to a more connected research community, so please do get in touch if the thematic areas and outputs resonate.
The Small Networks
Screen Green Transitions
The Screen Green Transitions network, convened by Dr Heidi Ashton and Professor Pietari Kaapa (University of Warwick), investigated how the screen industries can respond to the growing challenge of environmental sustainability. Bringing together researchers and industry stakeholders, the network explored the tensions between green ambitions and the realities of contemporary production practices, particularly as new technologies such as virtual production and AI become more widely adopted.
The project has produced two discussion papers and a podcast series, offering reflections on current challenges and priorities for future research.
Creative Industries and Place
The Creative Industries and Place network, convened by Dr Graeme Evans and Dr Patrycja Kaszynska (University of the Arts London), explored how place shapes innovation, productivity and growth within the creative industries. A particular focus was the challenge of measurement, recognising that existing datasets do not always align with the scales at which policy decisions are made.
The network’s findings and recommendations are brought together in a discussion paper, which contributes new thinking on how place can be better understood and reflected in creative industries policy.
Civic Creativity Index
The Civic Creativity Index network, convened by Dr Tom Fleming, Francisca Patrício and Jenn Blackwood (TF Consultancy), examined how cultural and creative professionals contribute to tackling complex social and civic challenges through place-based partnerships. The project sought to develop a pilot framework for understanding and measuring civic creativity, while exploring how institutions such as local authorities, universities and partners support creative approaches to sustainable development.
The network’s activities and approach are outlined in a blog that reflects on the opportunities and challenges involved in developing a Civic Creativity Index.
Building Infrastructure for AI Research
The Building Infrastructure for AI Research network, convened by Professor Joanna Woronkowicz (Copenhagen Business School) and Professor Doug Noonan (Indiana University), responded to the challenge posed by the rapid adoption of AI across the creative industries. Identifying a growing need for high-quality evidence on AI’s impacts, the network examined gaps in data, funding structures, methodologies and institutional support, to explore what is required to undertake rigorous research on AI’s effects on creative work, cultural economies and artistic labour.
The network produced a blog and a wiki, providing resources that support ongoing research, collaboration and knowledge-sharing in this rapidly evolving area. The wiki is currently in beta, with comments welcome on how the platform could develop.
