The second cohort of our Community Innovation Practitioners (CIPs) offer a powerful reminder of the diversity of creative and cultural practices taking place across the UK, as well as the potential for R&D and innovation to benefit from more inclusive approaches.
The CIPs’ case studies, policy papers and podcast series have been published this week at a particularly timely moment for devolution across the UK. Their outputs speak directly to the distinct opportunities, priorities and powers within each region and nation, highlighting how locally-driven co-creative practices can help shape more inclusive approaches to innovation that better reflect the needs and strengths of their communities.
The breadth of creative practice captured in this year’s case studies spans walking tours and textiles to drama and performance. Together, this new evidence base demonstrates that culture and creativity are more than just a ‘nice to have’. They are a vital golden thread running through our everyday lives, connecting people, places and ideas in unexpected ways, and creating new opportunities for collaboration, learning and change.
The CIP research showcase celebrates the achievements of their CIPs and partners and profiled their sustained community of practice. It was a chance to reflect on the collective impact of the cross sector partnerships in R&D and to recognise the people and communities whose creativity and knowledge shape innovation.
The second series of the Creative Communities podcast, featuring more than 70 different voices across the six research collaborations, diversify whose voices are heard in discussions about research, development and innovation. By making space for different experiences, expertise and ways of knowing, we are proving the value of broadening our understanding of what innovation looks like and who gets to shape it.
At the heart of this work is a belief in the value of place-based creativity and innovation, and in recognising the knowledge and expertise that exist within our communities. We hope these findings educate, inspire and shape future partnerships and co-creation and help reposition culture as central to building a more inclusive future for R&D and innovation in new context of national and regional devolution across the UK.
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