Online Launch: Geographies of Creativity - State of the Nations research series - Creative Industries Policy and Evidence Centre

Place matters in the creative industries. Join Dr Josh Siepel as he presents new research on place-making, clusters and the creative sector.

When: Wednesday 6 December, 12 noon – 1pm

Where: Online – register below to receive the zoom link

Where do creative clusters arise and what can policymakers do to optimise intervention? Join us to hear about the findings of new research that explore three different levels of the UK’s creative industries geography: microclusters, clusters, and corridors.

The research shines a light on the role of microclusters in the creative industries, and explains why creative clusters are good targets for intervention and investment, and a key engine for economic growth in the UK.

The findings are based on the latest available data sets, that uncover new evidence on the UK’s creative clusters, from updated mapping of microclusters to experimental analysis on identifying creative corridors. They build on the Creative PEC’s extensive research in this area, in reports like Creative Radar, which mapped business activity and identified creative clusters.

Attendance is free but registration is essential to ensure you receive the event link.

This event will be vital for policymakers, researchers and creative professionals keen to know what determines the success of a creative cluster.

Register here

We will share key findings from the new ‘State of the Nations’ series from the Creative PEC, which will provide regular reporting on the Creative Industries across four themes over the next five years.

Join Dr Josh Siepel, Senior Lecturer (Sussex University) and Creative PEC Research Consortium Partner for R&D, Innovation and Clusters, as he discusses the findings from the research. Introduced by Professor Hasan Bakhshi, Director Creative PEC, and a panel of industry guests: Syima Aslam MBE (CEO and Artistic Director of Bradford Literature Festival), Dr Jen Ballie (Head of Design Research at V&A Dundee), Lauren Lucas (Adviser for Culture, Tourism and Sport at the Local Government Association), and Sara Pepper (Co-Director of the Centre for Creative Economy at Cardiff University). There will be a Q&A and the opportunity for you to put your questions to the panel.

About the speakers

Syima Aslam, Bradford Literature Festival

Syima is Founder, CEO and Artistic Director of Bradford Literature Festival (BLF) whose vision is to create a fairer society and change lives through world class culture and literature. BLF is one of the largest literary festivals in the UK, the largest diverse led cultural organisation in the North and the second largest in the UK. Syima is a Trustee & Board Member of The Piece Hall Trust, Area Council North Member for Arts Council England, UK Council Member Creative UK, Fellow of the Royal Society of Arts, Honorary Fellow of the Royal Society for Literature.

Dr Jen Ballie, V&A Dundee

Dr Jen Ballie is Head of Design Research at V&A Dundee, Scotland’s first Design Museum. Within a world proliferated with too much stuff, Jen’s passionate about the role and responsibilities of the design professional and seeks to explore how we can add value to our everyday lives through design.

Lauren Lucas, Local Government Association

Lauren is Adviser for Culture, Tourism and Sport at the Local Government Association (LGA): the national voice for local government in England, working to support, promote and improve councils. She is the policy lead for culture, including libraries, archives, museums, heritage, arts and the creative industries. She coordinated the work of the LGA’s recent Commission on Culture and Local Government and is the author of its report, Cornerstones of Culture. Lauren has a background in local government cultural services, and before joining the LGA, she led the policy team at the Local Government Information Unit (LGiU), developing research and programmes on a wide range of policy areas, from adult social care to housing and commissioning.

Sara Pepper, Cardiff University

Sara is Co-Director of the Centre for Creative Economy at Cardiff University. Her role is to provide leadership and strategic direction to the Centre and the projects it delivers including city network Creative Cardiff, £10m R&D cluster Clwstwr and Media Cymru a £50 million UKRI Strength in Places funded programme. Sara works with a wide variety of stakeholders including academic, industry and government partners and is always keen to find ways for them to coalesce to better support and understand the creative economy. She is passionate about championing creative talent and ideas and brokering partnerships that enable individuals and organisations.

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Photo by Darren Welsh on Unsplash