In September 2025, the AHRC Creative Communities programme launched a new round of Community Innovation Practitioners. The awards represent a major investment in place-based innovation and cross-sector research partnerships across the devolved nations and regions of the UK. Each CIP will work in their devolved policy context to explore how co-created cultural innovation can enhance belonging, address regional inequality, deliver devolution and break down barriers to opportunity.
The CIPs will generate vital new knowledge about co-creation and the unique role played by their communities and partnerships in growth through new research, development and innovation (RD&I).
In early October, the CIPs travelled to Newcastle and Northumbria University for two immersive days of training, with the aim of sparking the CIP network, building a community of practice and sharing expertise and their insights on co-creation. The training also focused on devolution, policy and place-based innovation to support the completion of the CIP’s research outputs.
Located at the Biscuit Factory, day one introduced the CIPs to the Creative Communities team and network. Workshops were led by Programme Director Professor Katy Shaw and Senior Research Fellows Dr Rachel Connor and Dr Lauren Baker Mitchell, with a welcome and introduction from Dr Kristine Zaidi of the AHRC. There was invaluable input from Dr Sean Kippin of Stirling University, an expert on UK politics and policy-making processes. The CIPs were introduced to key issues around policymaking and how devolution shapes the cultural and policy contexts of their unique research projects.
Day Two was hosted at Northumbria University and connected the CIPs with award-winning podcast producer Vic Turnbull, founder of MIC media. Vic is a specialist in social impact and research podcasting, with huge experience in working with charities, CICs, NPOs and social enterprises, value-led corporates, education and local authorities. The CIPs were given expert and practical advice on using their podcast equipment – learning that will kickstart their activity in the field, where they will capture the voices and experiences of the many partners involved in their cross-sector research.
MIC media will work across the year with the CIPs to co-produce season two of the Creative Communities podcast, which will be released in Autumn 2026.
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