AHRC Post-Doctoral Researcher: Digital Research & Development Fund for the Arts
Lead Research Organisation:
Northumbria University
Department Name: Fac of Engineering and Environment
Abstract
Abstracts are not currently available in GtR for all funded research. This is normally because the abstract was not required at the time of proposal submission, but may be because it included sensitive information such as personal details.
Publications
Bakhshi, H.
(2017)
Defining R&D for the creative industries
Lomas, E.
(2017)
Defining R&D for the arts and cultural knowledge domains
| Description | The aim of this study has been to understand how research and development should be conceptualised for the arts and cultural sectors, defined for policy purposes and evaluated. The study has considered approaches to research and development from academia and practice. Relatively little theoretical and empirical research has previously been undertaken as to how arts and cultural organisations define and approach research and development. The work was commissioned as a qualitative study. Stakeholders confirmed the need for a 'research and development' definition of the arts and cultural sectors in order to: • make research and development a tangible and understood practice, albeit one that might extend and evolve in the future. By making the practice tangible resources can be actively shaped and managed. • highlight where and how research and development is delivered. It was noted that many parties deliver research and development but do not formally brand it as such. This means that at present there is not a clear picture of the practice and value of research and development. • aid collaboration and understanding across those domains delivering research and development. • provide a focus for policy makers and funders. • foster greater understanding with the wider public. • provide parity with the science sector where an agreed definition has resulted in policy and tax breaks around that definition The study has taken into account the viewpoints of those from beyond the traditional boundaries of academia, i.e. those undertaking research beyond the walls of the HEFE sector, research stakeholders and beneficiaries more widely. The study affirmed the need of research and development in order to deliver new knowledge, new human experiences and innovation. Research and development puts in place systems for pushing boundaries whilst minimising uncertainty. The participants identified that there was a need for a definition which extended from the arts and cultural sectors to the science sector and therefore provided for collaboration between different spheres rather than putting up barriers. |
| Exploitation Route | The research and development definition developed and tested with core stakeholders is a major step forward for research and development in academia and practice. The final report has been published on the AHRC website. All the project requirements have been met however this work continues to be further developed. In 2017 the definition was used to develop a policy breifing with Nesta and AHRC which has been disseminated. In 2017 Lomas have a paper to wider set of academic disciplines Lomas, E. J. (2017). Defining and valuing the R&D delivered by the arts, culture, humanities and social sciences for the creative economy. Presented at: London Conference in Critical Thought. In 2017 the work was cited in the USA and Lomas has been invited to focus groups on the subject of R&D for the creative economies and cultural sectors. Additional development work is further planned. |
| Sectors | Communities and Social Services/Policy,Creative Economy,Digital/Communication/Information Technologies (including Software),Manufacturing, including Industrial Biotechology,Culture, Heritage, Museums and Collections |
| URL | http://www.ahrc.ac.uk/documents/project-reports-and-reviews/digital-r-d-final-report/ |
| Description | The findings from the original research report have been developed and reviewed. A policy briefing has subsequently been developed and publication in conjunction with Nesta and AHRC. This work has been further cited in the USA and Dr Lomas has been invited to focus group events on R&D. In 2017 the AHRC was able to advocate for the inclusion of the creative industries in the Government's industrial strategy, with the policy briefing on the creative economy forming one piece of the evidence base for this case. This has the potential to make real economic differences to how arts, culture and the creative economies input into national economic models and evolve over time. In addition, in 2020 the work has inspired a conference on R&D in the context of theatre. Lomas has been invited to launch the event as keynote. Academic articles have started to pick up and cite the work. |
| First Year Of Impact | 2017 |
| Sector | Creative Economy,Culture, Heritage, Museums and Collections |
| Impact Types | Cultural,Economic,Policy & public services |
| Description | Buildling our industrial strategy - included a reference to R&D for creative industries. |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Policy Influence Type | Contribution to a national consultation/review |
| Impact | R&D has previously only been understood as delivering into limited, in effect STEM, spaces. The work on better understanding how R&D happens in other spaces is important as we are currently still using post war economic models and failing to delivery in ways that can boost new economic models such as the creative industries. It was an innovation that the creative industries was cited in this document on page 31. AHRC use the reports produced and for the ARADD project and more specifically the related creative industries focused policy briefing (https://ahrc.ukri.org/documents/project-reports-and-reviews/policy-briefing-digital-r-d/) to shift some of this dialogue. |
| URL | https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/6117... |
| Description | Citation in other policy documents |
| Geographic Reach | North America |
| Policy Influence Type | Citation in other policy documents |
| Description | Theatre R&D |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Policy Influence Type | Influenced training of practitioners or researchers |
| URL | http://scudd.org.uk/theatre-rd-a-symposium-exploring-research-and-development-in-contemporary-britis... |
| Description | UCL Public Policy Small Grants |
| Amount | £4,000 (GBP) |
| Organisation | University College London |
| Department | UCL Public Policy |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Start | 10/2016 |
| End | 03/2017 |
| Description | Nesta, AHRC and UCL |
| Organisation | Nesta |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Sector | Charity/Non Profit |
| PI Contribution | The report from this work has been published on the AHRC website at http://www.ahrc.ac.uk/innovation/creative-economy-research/digitalranddfund/ Based on the study a policy briefing to apply the findings from this work to the creative industries has been developed with Nesta. The policy brief is at http://www.ahrc.ac.uk/innovation/creative-economy-research/digitalranddfund/ |
| Collaborator Contribution | It is hoped the work will lead to a wider understanding of the contribution of the arts and cultural knowledge domains to innovation and the UK economy in order to better recognize this in tax regimes. |
| Impact | Policy briefing - http://www.ahrc.ac.uk/innovation/creative-economy-research/digitalranddfund/ |
| Start Year | 2016 |