Narrating Creative Regions Half Day Symposium

Date: 17th January 2025

Time: 12:30-16:00

Location: TS215, The Spark, Solent University

Hosted by: Creative Network South & Southampton Solent University

We invite you to participate in the half-day symposium to explore the pivotal role of strategic partnerships between higher education institutions and creative businesses in driving regional economic growth, fostering talent development, ensuring equitable access to the creative sector, placemaking and enhancing other value indicators.

The symposium will begin with a light working lunch and an opportunity to network. Afterwards, there will be two sessions. In the first session, Dom Jinks (Head of Creative Industries and Economy at the University of Exeter) and Carys Bradley-Roberts & Laura Sinclair (Centre for the Creative Economy at Cardiff University) will present examples of strategic partnerships between academia and creative businesses. Following a coffee break and additional networking, delegates will take part in a workshop focused on generating actionable steps to foster deeper collaboration between regional creative and cultural sectors and universities.

This symposium is made possible through the support of Creative Network South and hosted by Southampton Solent University.

Symposium Objectives:

• To examine how collaborative efforts between academia and the creative industries can stimulate regional economic development.
• To discuss innovative strategies for nurturing talent and facilitating entry into the creative sector.
• To identify best practices for promoting equitable access and participation within the creative industries.
• To evaluate the impact of strategic partnerships and networks on creative and economic ecosystems.

Talk Title

Content TBC.

Un, Dau, Tri: Building the Cardiff creative cluster

Cardiff University’s Centre for the Creative Economy was established in 2014 to support the rapid growth being observed in the creative and cultural industries across the city and wider region. Over the last decade, it has developed a suite of research, development and engagement projects focussed on driving industry collaboration and innovation. At the heart of the work of the Centre is a commitment to embedding equitable and sustainable growth that puts the Cardiff Capital Region on the map as an internationally recognised hub for the creative and cultural industries. This presentation will explore how the Centre has driven regional economic growth and fostered new talent development through building strategic partnerships with industry, private, public and education partners and stakeholders.

Laura Sinclair is the Programme Governance Senior Officer for the UKRI Strength and Places Funded research and development programme, Media Cymru. Laura is responsible for governance and management structures, compliance, funder reporting and developing policies to ensure smooth programme delivery across Media Cymru. Laura is also a Doctoral Researcher and has published research that explores representation in children’s public service broadcast television and is an Associate Fellow of the Higher Education Academy.

Carys Bradley-Roberts is the Operations and Engagement Manager at Creative Cardiff, Cardiff University’s industry-facing network for creatives in the Cardiff Capital Region. Carys is responsible for the day-to-day operations of Creative Cardiff, delivering and overseeing events, projects, and engagement activities, and regularly communicating with the Creative Cardiff community of over 5,000 creatives. Carys has worked in a variety of creative sector roles in Cardiff and North Wales and was named an Honorary Associate of the Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama in 2023.

Event Venue & Nearby Stays

The Spark, East Park Terrace, Southampton, United Kingdom