Delving into the Research and Development scene of innovative tech for creativity
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The UK's creative technologies (CreaTech) sector is experiencing a surge of activity, investment, and innovation, with key hubs emerging in the West Midlands and Greater Manchester regions. A new policy brief, titled "Creative industries innovation in seaside resorts and country towns," based on a PEC Discussion Paper, sheds light on this dynamic landscape.
Research and Innovation
Collaborative research is robust in the UK’s CreaTech sector, driven by universities such as Birmingham City University, University of Birmingham, University of Warwick, Coventry University, and institutions like the Royal Shakespeare Company. These entities collectively contribute to research and development (R&D), focusing on responsible and human-centered applications of creative technologies. Innovative projects include the "CreaTech Frontiers" program, offering grants and academic support to freelancers, microbusinesses, and SMEs.
Investment
Funding support is substantial but competitive and targeted. The Arts and Humanities Research Council (AHRC), through UK Research and Innovation (UKRI), has invested £7.2 million into the West Midlands CreaTech ecosystem in a five-year initiative, emphasizing skills, R&D, and business innovation. Grants in the range of £5,000 to £10,000 are provided to early-stage innovators and businesses, along with extended academic and technical support through access to CreaTech labs at partner universities.
Despite funding initiatives, structural challenges persist in securing adequate investment for screen-based storytelling and CreaTech businesses more broadly. A report by Creative UK highlights that 83% of such businesses report unmet finance demands, and 77% feel underfunded, reflecting a gap between ambition and available investment within the broader UK creative industries ecosystem.
Main Hubs for CreaTech Activity
The West Midlands emerges as the primary CreaTech cluster with structured investment, funding calls, and a collaborative network spanning academic institutions and creative businesses. Greater Manchester is notable for its integration of research and creative sectors, hosting showcases and collaborative projects that explore intersections of technology with the arts and community development.
Key Findings
- IT, Software and Computer services is the biggest creative sector participant in CreaTech projects, accounting for 62% of creative projects.
- More than half of organisations involved in CreaTech projects are in SIC codes outside the creative industries.
- Createch research projects are even more geographically concentrated than other research activities involving the creative industries.
- Many of the CreaTech research projects have responded to challenges and opportunities created by the COVID-19 crisis.
- Most CreaTech research happens in a few, concentrated places around the UK, mainly London, the South East, and Edinburgh.
In summary, the UK’s CreaTech sector is currently characterized by strong collaborative research, focused investment supporting innovation particularly in the West Midlands, and active hubs in Greater Manchester enhancing cultural and technological synergies. However, businesses still face significant challenges in securing sufficient funding despite these initiatives.
References
[1] Nesta, AHRC, and PEC. (2022). Creative industries innovation in seaside resorts and country towns. Retrieved from [link to the report] [2] UK Research and Innovation. (2022). West Midlands CreaTech initiative. Retrieved from [link to the initiative] [3] Creative UK. (2021). State of the nation: Creative industries business finance. Retrieved from [link to the report] [4] Creative Manchester. (2021). Research and innovation. Retrieved from [link to Creative Manchester's research and innovation page] [5] Factory International. (2021). Research and development. Retrieved from [link to Factory International's research and development page]
- The UK's creative technologies (CreaTech) sector is flourishing, with key hubs taking shape in the West Midlands and Greater Manchester regions.
- Research in the CreaTech sector is robust, driven by universities and institutions such as Birmingham City University, University of Birmingham, University of Warwick, Coventry University, and the Royal Shakespeare Company.
- These entities focus on responsible and human-centered applications of creative technologies and collaborate on innovative projects like the "CreaTech Frontiers" program.
- The Arts and Humanities Research Council (AHRC), through UK Research and Innovation (UKRI), has invested £7.2 million into the West Midlands CreaTech ecosystem over five years.
- These funds support skills, research and development (R&D), and business innovation via grants and academic support.
- Despite targeted funding, screen-based storytelling and CreaTech businesses still face challenges in securing adequate investment, as highlighted by Creative UK in a report.
- The West Midlands region is the primary CreaTech cluster, with structured investment, funding calls, and a collaborative network of academic institutions and creative businesses.
- Greater Manchester stands out for its integration of research and creative sectors, hosting projects that explore technology's intersection with the arts and community development.
- The biggest participant in CreaTech projects is IT, Software, and Computer services, accounting for 62% of projects.
- Over half of CreaTech-involved organizations operate outside of traditional creative industries SIC codes.
- CreaTech research projects are geographically concentrated, with most projects happening in London, the South East, and Edinburgh.
- CreaTech research projects have often responded to challenges and opportunities created by the COVID-19 crisis, contributing to the sector's continuous evolution and internationalization.
