University of Southampton researchers are producing and contributing to various policy briefs on issues involving culture and creativity. Read more about their work below.
This research briefing responds to Local Policy Innovation Partnership (LPIP) Hub work on data devolution, transparency, and place productivity. The briefing proposes a model for a qualitative data observatory that can support the democratic, strategic, and evidence-led requirements of policymakers.
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Explore a toolkit-driven investigation into how we can measure and reflect on the environmental footprint of creative, authentic assessments. From reviewing carbon calculators to prototyping a bespoke model, this project bridges sustainability and pedagogy in cultural and creative sectors.
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This report introduces and summarises a project that explored funding for arts and culture in the UK by focusing on
application processes and the arts professionals who engage with them.
This involved asking: who applies for funding, why, and how?
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This report outlines and reflects on the collaboration between the University of Southampton and diverse range of sectors across Southampton to create a cultural data observatory.
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Explore how Neighbouring Data’s three reports—Opening, Understanding, and Transforming the Observatory—reimagines how qualitative data is generated, connected, and used in place-based decision-making. From analysing twenty data observatories to co-developing creative prototypes, the series traces a shift from mapping existing systems to building new ways of seeing and sharing local insights.
Read the collaborative policy brief from Dr Brian J. Hracs (University of Southampton) and Prof. Roberta Comunian (Friends of Cobbett Road Library) about addressing local challenges around the threats and opportunities faced by a community managed library (CML), as well as broader emerging questions about the CML landscape in England.
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Read how Pathways to Health Consortium reimagines how we co-create and design pathways to health to understand what culture means to young people, how they use place-based cultural assets (strengths), and how they feel about the places where they live.
Read the collaborative project report from an international academic team (UK, Kenya, Nigeria and South Africa) about the collaborative activities and journey undertaken with the African Hub for Sustainable Creative Economies project (AHSCE).
Read a summary of the research journey undertaken across three cities involved in network activities: Nairobi, Lagos and Cape Town.
The report presents a critical discussion on the role of creative intermediaries, focusing specifically on their contribution to the development of creative economies in Africa.
Read about a series of collaborations with Turkish and Greek high school teachers.
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Read how Ka-Kin Cheuk highlights the role played by the Indian diaspora network in the development of the China-Dubai textile trade.
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Read how Ka-Kin Cheuk highlights the politics of expertise in policymaking in India and China.
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Read how Professor Will May and Joanna Nissel worked with ArtfulScribe, a Literature Development Agency based in Southampton, to better understand the role, capacity and needs of LDAs in regional development.
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Professor Daniel Ashton, Professor Will May and Dr Aiysha Jahan discover how we can better build and sustain relationships and develop understanding between Councils and Artists.
Professor Daniel Ashton, Professor Will May and Dr Aiysha Jahan discover how creative freelancers can seek local government-funded opportunities and projects.
Read how Dr Natalie Wreyford found and counted all the women (and men) working in key production roles on UK-qualifying films from 2003-2015.
Read how Professor Dan Ashton and Makanani Bell outline findings and make recommendations from the Public Policy Southampton funded project, Cultural strategies, compacts and futures: The role of local government in connecting culture with place, health and the environment.
